The Forest Preserve District of Kane County has announced a number of prescribed burns will take place this fall at forest preserves in the district.
Each spring and fall, the district conducts prescribed burns across prairies, woodlands and wetlands in an effort to restore and maintain the ecological health of a site, according to a press release from the district.
Controlled burns help release nutrients from burned plant material, encourage seed growth and expose bare soil to sunlight so native plants can flourish, the release said. Prescribed burns also reduce the abundance of non-native brush, such as buckthorn and honeysuckle.
Before a controlled burn, trained staff members survey the preserve and create a detailed plan of action, officials said. They then monitor the weather and wait until conditions are right, to minimize the chance of smoke blowing toward homes and roads, according to the release.
Staff notifies local authorities before initiating a prescribed burn and after the burn is complete, officials said. Staff members also notify adjacent residents via mail, so that those with health concerns can avoid the smoke, according to the release.
Targeted sites for this burn season include portions of these preserves: Almon Underwood Forest Preserve in Elburn, Arlene Shoemaker Forest Preserve in Aurora, Aurora West Forest Preserve in Aurora, Barnes Forest Preserve in Aurora, Big Rock Forest Preserve in Big Rock, Binnie Forest Preserve in West Dundee, Blackberry Maples Forest Preserve in Elburn, Bliss Woods Forest Preserve in Sugar Grove, Bolcum Road Wetlands Forest Preserve in St. Charles, Bowes Creek Greenway Forest Preserve in Elgin, Bowes Creek Woods Forest Preserve in Elgin, Braeburn Marsh Forest Preserve in Batavia, Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve in Burlington and Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin.
Also, Campton Forest Preserve in St. Charles, Chicago Premium Outlet Wetlands in Aurora, Culver Forest Preserve in Sugar Grove, Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia, Eagles Forest Preserve in Elgin, Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve in Elgin, Fox River Bluff West Forest Preserve in St. Charles, Fox River Shores Forest Preserve in Carpentersville, Freeman Kame – Meagher Forest Preserve in Gilberts, Grunwald Farms Forest Preserve in Elburn and Great Western Trail – 64 Triangle.
Also, Hampshire Forest Preserve in Hampshire, Hannaford Woods/Nickels Farm Forest Preserve in Sugar Grove, Hemmer Parcel in Hampshire, Hoscheit Woods Forest Preserve in St. Charles, Jelkes Creek Forest Preserve in West Dundee, Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve in South Elgin, Kenyon Farm Forest Preserve in South Elgin, Lake Run Forest Preserve in Aurora,
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles, Les Arends Forest Preserve in Batavia, McLean Fen Forest Preserve in South Elgin, Meissner Prairie – Corron Forest Preserve in St. Charles,
Mill Creek Forest Preserve in Batavia, Mill Creek Greenway Forest Preserve in Elburn,
Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve in Hampshire and Otter Creek Forest Preserve in Elgin.
Also, Philip B. Elfstrom Events in Geneva, Pingree Grove Forest Preserve in Pingree Grove,
Raymond Street in Elgin, Rutland North Forest Preserve in Hampshire, Sauer Family Prairie Kame Forest Preserve in Elburn, Schweitzer Woods Forest Preserve in West Dundee, Stearns Road in South Elgin and Stony Creek Forest Preserve in Elgin.
For more information on the prescribed burns, contact the Forest Preserve District of Kane County at 630-232-5980, go to www.kaneforest.com or find the district on social media by searching @forestpreserve.