Art Anderson, Ground and Trails Foreman for the Kane County Forest Preserve and a "Burn Boss," shows the type of signage the forest preserve uses during control burns to alert residents.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
A class in controlled prairie burning was recently conducted by Alan Isberg, Elburn fire marshal, and Art Anderson and Jason Johnson of the Kane County Forest Preserve at the Elburn and Countryside Fire Protection District station on Hughes Road.
Prairie burning can get rid of invasive species and promote the growth of native prairie grasses and flowers. These types of burns are done in the late winter or early spring.
The class was attended by about 25 people, some homeowners, and employees of the Batavia Park District and the village of Campton Hills.
The Kane County Forest Preserve District uses controlled burning to restore natural areas.
After the class, Anderson and Johnson did a prairie burn on about an acre of land behind the fire station that is part of Tanna Farms Golf Course.
Control burn class attendees finish their schooling by watching a demonstration control burn.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
Art Anderson, Ground and Trails Foreman and "Burn Boss" with the Kane County Forest Preserve, demonstrates how to do a control burn after a class on the subject held at the Elburn and Countryside Fire Station 2.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
John Engstrom with the Garfield Farm Museum, left, talks to Jason Johnson, a Restoration Tec and "Burn Boss" with the Kane County Forest Preserve. Johnson holds a burn flapper to keep it from spreading beyond the fire line.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer
An outline of fire is drawn for a demonstration control burn behind the Elburn and Countryside Fire Station 2. The department taught a class in the proper ways to control burn and then demonstrated for the students.
Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer