SUPERIOR — The first puff of smoke from Wisconsin Point could be seen from Bungee Dock at 12:34 p.m. Wednesday.

Barely noticeable, it marked the first prescribed burn on the land in generations. It was an event that was at least 150 years in the making, according to Superior Mayor Jim Paine.

Called Ishkode, which means “good fire” in Ojibwe, the fire will help remove undergrowth that could fuel a forest fire, get rid of invasive species and help native plants like red pine and blueberries regenerate, according to Superior Fire Chief Camron Vollbrecht.

“It’s going to bring back the diversity that used to be there that is no longer there. It’s like it’s alive and it’s growing, but in a way it’s dead,” said Mark McConnell of Superior, a descendant of Chief Joseph Osaugie, who lived on Wisc

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