Registration & Permits
Illinois Nature Preserves
Danada Equestrian Center
Kline Creek Farm
Mayslake Peabody Estate
St. James Farm
Willowbrook Wildlife Center
Find a Camp for Kids or Teens
DuPage Forest Preserves @Home
Discover School Programs & Teacher Resources
Bring Your Scouts
Request a Group Adventure
Have It at Herrick
Pay Citation Fine
Restoring Habitats & Conserving Wildlife
Native Wildlife Rescue Advice
Be Our Friend & Donate
Be Our Community Partner
District Begins Fall Prescription Burn Season to Benefit Habitats
Specially trained crews to carry out burns in the spring and fall
(Oct. 22, 2020) — In coming weeks specially trained crews from the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County will be conducting prescription burns at selected sites in DuPage forest preserves.
Prescription burns are considered a very effective natural resource management tool for restoring native prairies, wetlands and woodlands. Prescription burns generally take place in the early spring before new vegetation emerges and in late fall after the season's vegetation has died. The Forest Preserve District's first deliberately set, controlled burn was conducted at Churchill Woods (Prairie) in Glen Ellyn in the mid-1970s.
Conducting these burns depends on the daily weather and other factors, so the District cannot schedule prescription burns in advance. Residents who live near planned burn locations receive notices in the mail, and on the morning of a burn, crews posts signs and contact local fire departments. Specially trained crews remain on the site throughout the process, which takes place only during daylight hours. If these factors are not present, the public should call 911 because they may be witnessing a wildfire.
"Fire is an important tool in our restoration toolbox," said District Director of Natural Resources Erik Neidy. "Prescription burns help us control invasive, exotic plants so desirable native species with deep root systems can thrive.
Prescription 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."
Those interested in learning more about prescription burns can watch videos featuring the District's prescription burns crews in action.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for more than 100 years. More than 4 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 166 miles of trails, six education centers and scores of programs each year. For information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District's e-newsletter, blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
Nature Blog & Stories
Your Links to Nature
Catching Nature Blog
Nature's Storytellers Blog
The Forest Preserve District offers a monthly e-newsletter that includes timely information about projects, programs and events in our DuPage forest preserves. Subscribe to our e-newsletter, and get the latest nature news straight to your inbox.
3S580 Naperville Road
Email: forest@dupageforest.org
Email: police@dupageforest.org
Help keep our forest preserves beautiful and safe places. If you have a concern, let us know.
FOIA Center
The Forest Preserve District is committed to making its facilities accessible to all visitors. Contact 630-933-7683 or TTY 800-526-0857.
© 2021 FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF DUPAGE COUNTY