A controlled burn of the Baker Wetlands south of Lawrence along East 1500 Road on Thursday morning looks somewhat menacing but is being carefully supervised by Baker University Director of Natural Areas Roger Boyd.

A planned burn of the Baker Wetlands south of Lawrence was terminated on Thursday morning because of unfavorable wind conditions, a wetlands official said.

Large flames were visible as crews began their controlled burn at 9 a.m., leaving a large plume of smoke in the sky until crews stopped burning about two hours later.

Crews were able to burn about 150 acres of dense, tall grass, said Roger Boyd, Baker University’s director of natural areas. An additional 250 acres likely will be burned early next week, he said.

The controlled burn is conducted yearly, to prevent the grass from catching fire accidentally and growing out of control, Boyd said. The burn also helps get rid of litter.

Other than the wind not cooperating, Boyd said, rain in the area also made the grass too wet to continue the burn Thursday.