Rebekkah Berryhill, the university’s grounds manager, previously told The Kent Stater that the annual controlled prairie burn is “at the mercy of the weather,” and that statement was proved true early Friday morning.  

Due to rainy weather throughout Thursday and into the night, firefighters were unable to complete the burn, as the ground and prairie plants were too wet for any sparks or flames to stick. Berryhill said heavy rains throughout the week didn’t help either. 

Firefighters gave up less than an hour into the controlled burn attempt, and it was rescheduled to April 24 at 1 p.m. 

Berryhill said she was disappointed that the burn couldn’t be completed, and added that this hasn’t happened before in previous years.  

John Engoglia is the managing editor. Contact him at [email protected].