Fire: A Critical Tool for Prairie Restoration

Many habitats in Illinois, including prairies and forests, evolved to depend on fire. In fact, indigenous communities have long-managed lands with fire as an important cultural and stewardship practice.

As Europeans settled the land in the United States, fire was considered harmful. This led to decades of intense fire suppression – and less resilient and diverse prairies and forests – until the end of the 20th century.

As ecologists have gained a better understanding of the important role fire plays in maintaining ecosystems, prescribed fires have become more common.

Today, low-intensity fire plays an important role in maintaining the health and diversity of these critical and vanishing landscapes. It also helps reduce wildfire impacts.

Historically, regular fires (from lightning or purposefully set by indigenous people) enriched soils, cleared out dead plants, and allowed native plants and animals to thrive. Suppressing fire for the past few centuries has disrupted this balance, allowing invasive plants to out-compete native, fire-adapted plants. By reintroducing prescribed fire (also known as controlled burns), we’re restoring this essential disturbance process.

Research over the past two decades shows that repeated prescribed burns help regenerate oak and hickory trees, promote more plant diversity, and reverse the spread of fire-intolerant species that take over prairies and forests.

Studies also show that bird diversity doubles in prairies and woods that have been treated with controlled burns compared to unburned areas. Birds like indigo buntings, chestnut-sided warblers, and eastern towhees benefit from the shrubs and new growth that emerge post-fire. This varied habitat offers food and shelter, contributing to healthier bird populations.

Are Burns Safe?

All HeartLands Conservancy burns are conducted by trained staff and volunteers, with the local fire department notified in advance. We use specialized equipment, maintain clear communication, and establish fire breaks to ensure the fire stays controlled. Portable water tanks and other safety gear are always on site.

Burns do produce some smoke, but we take steps to minimize its impact. If you have respiratory concerns, we recommend staying indoors or closing windows during the burn, which typically only take a few hours.

Most animals instinctively retreat to safe areas during a burn. Small animals burrow underground, while others move to unburned sections of the park. Fire promotes healthier habitats, making the environment better suited for wildlife in the long term. We also take care not to burn an entire property at one time to ensure wildlife have places to take cover.

How Quickly Do Areas Recover?

Burned areas regreen quickly, with plants sprouting soon after the burn. Fire stimulates the soil and encourages vigorous plant growth, restoring the natural beauty of the landscape. 

How do we plan the burns?

HLC staff and Great Rivers Prescribed Burn Association (GRPBA) assess each site and develop a burn plan that provides information on the specific objectives of the burn, preferred weather conditions to meet those objectives and minimize smoke, the ignition pattern, locations of burn breaks to safely contain the fire, equipment, conting​ency plans, and emergency phone numbers.

Detailed maps are prepared showing areas targeted for burns, where burn breaks will be located, and neighborhoods in which people might see or smell smoke. We wait until weather conditions are within the range specified in the burn plan before proceeding.

Burns are planned each winter for the upcoming spring, and in summer for the upcoming fall. Neighbors are notified in advance by mail that a controlled b​urn is planned.

Learn more about prescribed burns in the video below.