Invasive plants go up in smoke in Busse Forest controlled burn

The Cook County Forest Preserve District and Audubon Great Lakes joined forces Wednesday to set fire lines for a controlled burn in Busse Forest along Arlington Heights Road adjacent to Elk Grove Village.

"The main goal is to set back some of the nonnative invasive shrubs and promote native growth," said burn boss Elliot Medina. "It's one of the biggest tools in our toolbox where we get the most bang from it."

The burns take place in November and early spring around different forest preserves in the county.

Intern Katherine Jodlowski from Audubon Great Lakes was in charge of setting fire lines.

"This is fun," she said.