Forest Preserve, Park District to Begin Controlled Burns

Both the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and the Naperville Park District will be conducting prescribed burns in upcoming days and weeks.

How quickly the burns are completed will depend on Mother Nature.

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In the forest preserve district, the burns can take a few days or as much as a month to complete, depending on the weather, according to a release from the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. Since the burns will take place in an urban area, the main consideration is having the winds blowing in the right direction.

Because safety depends on the weather and other factors, the district cannot schedule prescription burns in advance. However, on the morning of a prescription burn, the district posts signs and notifies local fire-protection agencies, according to the forest preserve.

Crews remain on-site throughout the process, which takes place only during daylight hours, according to the forest preserve.

Fire is used in managing the district’s wetland, prairie and woodland areas. Burns are the best way to control the undesirable and invasive species that may be growing. The burns allow the district to manage the invasive species, while fire-tolerant native species are allowed to thrive and flourish.

"We conduct prescription burns partly to remove invasive, exotic plants so fire-tolerant native species can utilize a greater share of available resources," said Scott Meister of the Forest Preserve District's Office of Natural Resources in a release. "But 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."

Depending on the year, some areas may not undergo a prescribed burn if conditions aren’t right. In some cases the district will use mowing or, in other cases, management is put off until it is possible to conduct a burn.

At the Naperville Park District, a number of areas are expected to undergo burns in the coming days and weeks as well.

Fire departments are alerted when a burn will be under way. Neighbors are informed and police are notified as well. 

Naperville parks slated for controlled burns:

Arrowhead Park

Ashbury Park

Bailey Hobson Woods

Baileywood Park

Brighton Ridge Park

Brook Prairie

Clow Creek Greenway

Commissioners Park

Country Lakes

DuPage River Park

Frontier Sports Complex

Hobson West Ponds

Kingsley Prairie

Knoch Knolls

May Watts

Meadow Glens

Pioneer Park

River Run Preserve

Rock Ridge Park

Seager Park

Sportsman’s Park

Springbrook Crossings

Springbrook Golf Course

Springhill Greenway

Tallgrass Greenway

Tallgrass Lakes

Veteran’s Park

Weigand Park

Wildflower Park

Will-O-Way Commons

In Naperville residents near the selected sites will be notified via mail that the Naperville Park District’s controlled burn program will be conducted in their area. For more information about controlled burns in your area, call 630-848-5035 or visit www.napervilleparks.org.