Naperville Park District to conduct prescribed burns this spring

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The Naperville Park District has announced plans to conduct prescribed burns at around two dozen locations across the city this spring, including parks, golf courses, nature centers, and the Riverwalk. These intentionally set fires will help improve the overall health of the local ecosystems by clearing out invasive weeds and reducing leaf and plant debris.

Why it matters

Prescribed burns are a common and effective land management tool used by park districts and conservation groups to maintain the ecological balance of natural areas. By clearing out overgrowth and reducing fire fuel, these controlled burns help prevent more dangerous wildfires while also promoting the growth of native plant species.

The details

The park district's maintenance crews and third-party contractors will conduct the prescribed burns, which are dependent on favorable weather conditions including low wind, specific wind direction, and a low chance of precipitation. The burns will take place at locations across Naperville, including numerous parks, Springbrook Golf Course, Fort Hill Activity Center, Knoch Knolls Nature Center, and the Riverwalk.

• The prescribed burns will be conducted this spring, weather permitting.

What’s next

The park district has provided information on its website about the prescribed burn locations and schedule, and encourages residents to check for updates as weather conditions may require changes to the plans.