Prescribed Burns in Wisconsin Restore Nature with Fire

by Siheon Park, age 12

Prescribed fires are controlled by the local government in a predetermined area, intended to restore balance to natural communities.

There are several benefits to prescribed fires as they stimulate plant growth, create pockets of water, increase biodiversity, and enrich the soil. Without these burns, organic matter builds up, making the soil worse and putting forests at risk of more intense wildfires. For thousands of years, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians used fire to support species of plants and animals, including those in Wisconsin which have adapted well to fire. In the 20th century, cultural burning was paused due to government efforts to suppress all fires. Over the past few decades, however, cultural burning has become more widely accepted.

Fire season occurs during the spring or fall, usually starting in March and August. The City of Madison Parks and Engineering Divisions are responsible for conducting prescribed burns in Madison. Before any fire is started, experienced professional staff and contractors who are certified and have permits from the Madison Fire Department must prepare a detailed plan. Residents within 400 feet are notified about the burn, either through an email from their alderperson or a postcard in the mail. Fire managers may spend one or two days preparing before the burn begins.

Conditions for controlled burns must be just right. The humidity must be between 20% and 50%, and the temperature must be above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. These requirements are important because fires can still be dangerous if something goes wrong. That is why the project manager sends out announcements to nearby residents with the general time frame and location of the prescribed fire.

Many people are unaware of prescribed burns. While they may seem threatening, they are actually beneficial to the environment.

[Sources: City of Madison; Wisconsin DNR; UW–Madison Arboretum]