Ashland Parks and Recreation and Ashland Fire & Rescue will conduct a small controlled burn near the Lithia Park playground this morning at 10 am. Four burn piles remain from a project to reduce wildfire danger in the Lithia Park area where previous summer wildfire ignitions have threatened nearby homes and businesses. The burn should have minimal impact on air quality though smoke will be visible from many parts of the community. The burn should be completed by early afternoon. Workers will extinguish the piles upon completion to minimize smoke in the downtown area.