Controlled Burn to Take Place on October 22

October 22, 2025 - ROCHESTER, MINN. - The Rochester Fire Department (RFD) will be conducting a controlled burn and training exercise on Wednesday, October 22 in northwest corner of 60th Avenue NW (County State Aid Highway 44) and 19th Street NW. As part of this training, 60th Avenue NW will be closed from Valleyhigh Road NW (County State Aid Highway 4) and 19th Street NW from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

RFD is using this opportunity to conduct some very beneficial training that is hard to replicate in a normal training environment. The teams will continue to monitor the weather and modify the schedule as needed.

There will be potential for smoke in the air while burning and the slight possibility that the ash might spread through the air. RFD recommends keeping windows closed in the area. The controlled burn part of the training exercise is expected to occur around 1 p.m. and is expected to last for approximately one hour. RFD will ensure that everything done is in a safe and controlled manner to protect property.