Braidwood, IL – A controlled burn is scheduled Tuesday at the Braidwood Dunes and Savanna Preserve, with smoke and fire activity expected from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to Will County officials.
According to the Will County Forest Preserve District, the prescribed fire will take place north of West Smiley Road and east of Comet Drive on March 25. Residents in the area are advised to close windows and take precautions, as smoke or odors may linger into the evening.
911 dispatch centers, local fire and police departments have been notified. Reverse 911 calls were also issued to residents living within a half-mile of the preserve. However, only landlines registered with the Will County Emergency Management System automatically receive alerts.
These burns are part of a conservation effort to reduce invasive species and restore native prairie ecosystems. The technique mimics natural fires that once occurred regularly, according to the Forest Preserve District. Officials say such burns help native plant species thrive by removing overgrowth that would otherwise crowd them out.
Residents with questions can contact the Forest Preserve District at 815-727-8700. More details are available at www.reconnectwithnature.org.
