This spring the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is planning on conducting controlled burns on state land in the Carol Beach Subdivision (April & early May). The burns are intended to restore and maintain this rare prairie community. Individual burns can take approximately 1-3 hours to complete, depending on the size and complexity of the unit. Several units can be burned in one day; however, the number of good burning days is dependent on weather conditions. The department staff will notify landowners near the burn units in advance of the burn day. This handout will be available at the village hall as well.
WHY BURN THE PRAIRIE
Fire is a key component of a health prairie ecosystem. Fires have always played a large part in the prairie's life cycle and once pioneer settlers began suppressing these fires, the prairies began to disappear. Without periodic fires, these areas slowly turn into scrubby, woody fields. As the woody vegetation thickens, it shades out and eliminates native prairie plants. This conversion has resulted in the decline or disappearance of many prairie dependent plants and animals.
HOMEOWNER TIPS FOR DEALING WITH SMOKE
1) Close all your windows the day of a burn.
2) Do not hang laundry out the day of a burn.
DNR crews participating in the burns are well trained and well equipped. All burning staff has successfully completed the Federal Wildland Fire Fighting Training course. This course covered the basics of fire behavior, controlled burning, fire equipment and fighting wildland fires. Crews use various pieces of equipment on the burns. Equipment includes hand tools, vehicles and ATVs with water tanks and pumps, and hose layouts.
2015 BURN LOCATIONS
Kenosha Dunes (West Side)
Unit 1 The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
Unit 2 (Blocks 12A & 14)
Unit 7 (11 & 13 acres and Block 8)
Unit 5 (Blocks 50 & 51)
If you have any questions please contact one of the following:
-Conservation Biologist Sharon Fandel at 608-275-3207
-Wildlife Biologist Mary Johnson at 262-884-2391
-Wildlife Tech Trent Leaf at 608-27/9-7483
A copy of the DNR information for the 2015 Prescribed Burns including a map of the locations listed above is available by clicking "View PDF" below.
View PDF