Prescribed Burns Starting Across Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – With current cold temperatures and plenty of ice in place over the states lakes, the DNR is starting to burn in some spots after recent snow.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said that fire management crews will begin conducting prescribed burns on DNR properties throughout the state.

After the recent, much-needed precipitation over the weekend, it’s created conditions that are ideal for burning in some areas of the state now. The DNR says this will take place in local areas where conditions can provide a safe and effective burn.

When prescribed burns are happening near roads or recreational trails, the DNR will post signs to notify the public. For your safety, the DNR asks you to please avoid these areas while the burn is being conducted. 

The DNR also notifies local law enforcement and fire officials in advance about when and where DNR prescribed burns will take place. Burns planned for the following day are displayed on the DNR Prescribed Burn Dashboard.

Winter burns typically are in cattail marshes, wetlands and wet prairies. Cattail wildfires can present a control challenge for suppression authorities during the warmer summer months when both dead and live cattails are available to burn.

So by burning in winter, with ideal ice and snow cover, it reduces the heat and intensity of a cattail marsh and barrens burn.

Planning for prescribed burns can take weeks or months. DNR staff make the decision to conduct these prescribed burns only when weather and vegetation conditions meet strict standards for safety, smoke management and burn effectiveness. Even after such careful planning, the decision to burn on a specific day is reassessed and approved at the regional scale, and once more by the burn boss, who confirms on-site conditions are as forecasted for a safe burn.

These burns are needed to support a healthy ecosystem for an abundance of plants and animals in Wisconsin. They basically mimic the benefits of a historic fire, but occur under a safer “prescription” range of weather and fuel conditions (compared to most wildfires).

Throughout history, many ecosystems in Wisconsin experienced either periodic natural fire or were managed with cultural fire by First Nation people. These “fire-dependent” plant communities, such as prairies, wetlands and oak or pine barrens/savannas/woodlands developed a tolerance and eventual dependance on periodic fire, and would not be sustained today without prescribed burning.

Winter burns remove dead vegetation buildup and open waterways for migratory fowl and other wildlife. The dead vegetation is reduced to ash, transferring this natural fertilizer back into the soil. Following the burn, hazardous fuels are reduced, foraging and nesting improve in the revitalized vegetation, and the stimulated growth of their root systems enhances their ability to store more carbon. Some other benefits of prescribed burns include reducing non-native or invasive plant species and increasing regeneration of important native trees like oak and pine.

For a more detailed look at historic, current and planned DNR prescribed burns, visit the DNR Prescribed Fire Dashboard.

For planning and conducting safe prescribed burns on your own property, visit the Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council for resources and burn contracting information.