CHESTERTON, Ind. (AP) — The National Park Service plans to burn debris piles at a prairie ecosystem that is being restored at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Park officials say the debris at the Mnoke’ Prairie will be burned over the next two weeks. The debris is made up of trees and brush removed during restoration of the prairie ecosystem. Park officials say controlled burning of the debris piles reduces the amount of hazardous fuels on the ground and lowers the chance of a large, uncontrollable wildfire in the spring.

Approximately 20 piles in a three-acre area are to be burned. Park officials say smoke should be minimal in the area, but may be seen from U.S. 20 and 12 and Interstate 94.