Wilmington, IL – The U.S. Forest Service will conduct prescribed burns Thursday, March 20, at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in designated areas near the supervisor’s office, Ironbridge Trailhead, and between Turtle Pond and Bailey Bridge trails.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, these burns are part of an ongoing prairie restoration effort to reduce invasive species, recycle nutrients into the soil, and improve habitat conditions for native plants and wildlife. The burns will only proceed if weather conditions and initial test fires meet safety requirements.
Officials urge visitors to follow all posted signage and stay out of designated burn areas while operations are underway. Smoke may be visible throughout the day, but the burns are controlled and closely monitored by fire management teams.
Prescribed burns are a critical land management tool used across Illinois to maintain healthy ecosystems. The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, located about 60 miles southwest of Chicago, is the largest tallgrass prairie restoration site in the United States.
For real-time updates on burn operations, visit the U.S. Forest Service – Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie website or social media pages.
