Prescribed Burns Cause Smoky Smell Across Chicago Area

Cook County Forest Preserve crews manage fire-dependent habitats through controlled burns, leading to concerns from residents.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Residents across the Chicago area reported a strong smell of smoke in the air on Thursday, which was attributed to prescribed burns being conducted by the Cook County Forest Preserve. The burns are part of habitat management efforts, but the smoke led to multiple false alarms from concerned residents. With dry and windy conditions expected on Friday, no additional prescribed burns will take place.

Why it matters

Prescribed burns are a common forest management technique, but can cause concern among residents unaware of the purpose. The smoke from these burns, combined with wildfire smoke from other regions, highlights the need for public education and communication around controlled burning efforts.

The details

The strong smell of smoke was due to at least 10 burn crews working in the Cook County Forest Preserves on Thursday, lighting prescribed fires to manage fire-dependent habitats. Flames and plumes of smoke could be seen at several forest preserves, leading to multiple false alarms from concerned residents in communities like Oak Lawn.

  • On Thursday, several communities across Chicago and the suburbs reported the strong odor of smoke.
  • Cook County Forest Preserve crews typically burn in March and have about a week to complete the job.
  • On Friday, the dry and windy forecast means grass, leaves, and other fuel sources will be drier and if ignited could burn stronger.

The players

John McCabe

Director of the department of resource management at the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

Cook County Forest Preserve

The organization responsible for conducting the prescribed burns to manage fire-dependent habitats.

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What they’re saying

“We're managing fire-dependent habitats here, and so if we're not utilizing fire, these habitats go away, and the plants and animals that call it home would no longer exist.”

— John McCabe, Director of the department of resource management (cbsnews.com)

“When we're burning, especially 10 burn crews across the second most populated county in the United States, people are going smell smoke even when we're doing everything right.”

— John McCabe, Director of the department of resource management (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

With the conditions as dry as they are expected to be on Friday, no prescribed fires will be burned in Cook County, and residents are being urged to be mindful of fire danger near forest preserves.

The takeaway

Prescribed burns are an important forest management tool, but can cause concern among residents unaware of their purpose. Improved communication and public education around controlled burning efforts could help alleviate these concerns and ensure the safety of both the environment and local communities.