Forest preserve district preparing for 'controlled burns'

Specially trained crews will conduct prescription burns in the coming weeks at select sites in DuPage County forest preserves.

The forest preserve district has used this deliberately set, controlled, natural resource management tool for more than 35 years to restore native prairies, wetlands and woodlands.

The burns generally take place in late fall, after the season's vegetation has died, and in early spring before new vegetation emerges.

The burns depend on weather and other factors, so the district can't schedule them in advance. Notifications are mailed to residents who live near planned burn locations and, on the morning of a burn, the district posts signs and notifies local fire departments.

Trained crews remain on the site throughout the process, which takes place only during daylight hours.

If those factors are not present, residents should call 911 because they may be witnessing a wildfire.

An in-depth look at prescription burns is offered at "Introduction to Prescription Burns," a free, all-ages program that explains the how, when and why of the program and shows a burn in progress, weather permitting.

The program will be offered from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at Herrick Lake and at the same time Sunday, Nov. 12, at Churchill Woods. Register online or by calling (630) 933-7248.

"Fire is an important tool in our restoration tool box," said Erik Neidy, district director of natural resources. "Prescription burns help us control invasive, exotic plants so desirable native species with deep root systems can thrive."

The burns are not to be confused with the catastrophic, uncontrolled wildfires that occur in the dense, coniferous forests of the West, where an overabundance of flammable materials often enables fires to burn at extremely high temperatures and spread uncontrollably from treetop to treetop.

"Our oak and hickory woodlands in the Midwest do not provide the same type of fuel to cause the wildfires we see in the news," Neidy said.

"Prairies and forests used to burn regularly and were essential to the American landscape before the land was developed with homes and farms. We are bringing fire back to safely recreate what nature once did on its own."

During the 2016-17 season, district crews conducted 57 prescribed burns, covering 1,237 acres in 25 preserves. Of those, 51 percent were woodlands, 40 percent were prairie and 9 percent were wetlands. November and March were the biggest burn months.