Iroquois NWR to conduct planned burns

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge announces plans to conduct five prescribed burns on the refuge.

The goal this year is to burn a total of 170 acres within three grassland fields and two emergent (cattail) marshes. The result will be enhanced grassland nesting cover and marsh habitat for a variety of migratory birds and other wildlife. Each burn should take approximately two to six hours to complete.

Prescribed burns are conducted on National Wildlife Refuges and other public lands across the country. With prescribed burns, fire becomes a management tool removing accumulated fuel loads thus reducing the risk of wildfire. Additionally, fire improves refuge habitats for wildlife by removing invading plants that compete for light and nutrients and exposing the soil to sunlight so that seeds may germinate and grow. At the same time, it releases nitrogen and other nutrients into the soil to nourish the new plants.

Specific dates cannot be announced in advance; however, law enforcement and other emergency agencies will be notified on the day of the burn.

Refuge staff have been specially trained to plan, ignite and monitor the fire to ensure public safety.