JDCF issues prescribed fire statement

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ELIZABETH–With spring approaching, the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (JDCF) will be joining the Galena Territory Association and the Northwest Illinois Prairie Enthusiasts as part of the Northwest Illinois Burn Co-op to conduct burns in natural areas on privately owned properties throughout Jo Daviess County.

What may seem like a random grass fire is actually a well-planned and managed burn to combat invasive species in natural areas. JDCF has been a member of the co-op since it began in the 1990s.

There are numerous questions regarding prescribed burns. Here are the most-asked questions and answers.

•What is prescribed fire and why is it important? Prescribed fire is a fire set strategically and safely by an experienced, trained burn crew.

Prescribed fires are the most cost-effective and important land management tools that conservation organizations and land owners use to keep natural areas, such as a woodland or prairie, in good health. Prescribed fires reduce the presence of undesirable weeds and help native wildflowers, trees and other species to thrive.

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•When does the prescribed burn happen and how often? Prescribed fires are performed in the early spring and fall when weather conditions are right for burns to be conducted safely. Trained, certified crew leaders rotate between different areas each year. The exact schedule for prescribed burning is extremely weather dependent and is difficult to schedule more than a few days in advance.

•What about smoke? Smoke control is an important aspect of any prescribed burn plan. Prior to burning, trained crews carefully review the burn area and the proximity to houses, businesses and roads. This information is incorporated into the plan and the prescribed burn occurs when favorable conditions and wind minimize the amount of smoke reaching other areas.

•Who has the authority? JDCF is among dozens of state-wide conservation groups authorized by the state to conduct prescribed burns annually. In Illinois, 790,000 acres are in habitat areas which could benefit from prescribed fire. Unfortunately, due to limited resources and a lack of volunteers, only about 50,000 acres get burned each year.

•Who can participate? Anyone who is interested in being a part of a prescribed fire is welcome to participate in the co-op. Property owners must participate in five prescribed burns before their properties are eligible to be burned by the co-op.

All burn volunteers must attend the annual burn class held in early March, another class deemed equivalent or have significant prior prescribed burn experience.

For more information, please contact Jake Pulfer, JDCF land stewardship manager, at steward@jdcf.org.