Johnny Appleseed Metro Park employees plan a “controlled burn” of a section of Bluffton's Motter Metro Park the later this month.

The date depends upon several conditions including wind, temperature, humidity and condition of the ground.

A park spokesperson told the Icon earlier this week that the burn was planned for Thursday morning, but the rains of yesterday may have changed that.

The area to be burned includes 8 to 10 acres on the west side of the parking area back to the fence row.

Controlled burns are used to destroy evasive species in the park and vegetation, explained the park official.

The blackened soil warms up faster in the spring and native plants often germinate more quickly than evasion ones.

The most recent controlled burn at Motter park was in the spring of 2019. This year's burn will include the assistance of nearly dozen park employees in controlling it.

The park official said that whenever the burn takes place, it will be noticeable in the village.