Burning used to restore DuPage forest preserves

Visitors to the Herrick Lake Forest Preserve in Wheaton Sunday gained valuable knowledge about restoring native prairies, wetlands and woodlands.

During “Introduction to Prescription Burns,” crews demonstrated how fire can be used to accomplish that goal.

Unlike a wildfire, a prescription burn is a deliberately set, controlled, natural resource management tool that specially trained forest preserve district crews have used for more than 25 years in their restoration efforts.

In DuPage County’s woodlands, prescription burns remove invasive vegetation so more sunlight can reach native wildflowers and other plants on the forest floor. The county’s forests primarily contain deciduous species, such as oaks, with thick bark that is well-adapted to periodic fire and able to keep flames near the ground. These conditions greatly contrast those in the dense coniferous forests of the West, where highly flammable pine needles enable fires to spread quickly and uncontrollably from treetop to treetop, as often reported in the news.

Erik Neidy, of the Preserve District of DuPage County’s Office of Natural Resources, said fire also breaks down organic plant materials, which speeds the return of valuable nutrients to the soil.

“It also prevents a buildup of plant debris, which can stunt new growth and keep rainwater from filtering through the soil,” he said in a statement.