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Shawnee National Forest Plans to Conduct More Prescribed Burns
Release Date: Mar 27, 2021
Contact(s): Scott Crist
Harrisburg, March 27, 2021— Prescribed burning will continue across southern Illinois during dry periods over the next week. Prescribed fire, or controlled burning, has many benefits including maintaining healthy environments and the native plants and animals they support.
U.S. Forest Service Fire crews will be working in partnership with the Southern Illinois Prescribed Burn Association and individual private landowners to conduct several public/private prescribed burns during the upcoming days, weather permitting.
Mill Creek and Cedar Lake Kudzu – These two burns are planned for Sunday, March 28, if Saturday’s rain misses the units. Location of the prescribed burns are on the south end of Cedar Lake about 3 and 5 miles west of Makanda, Illinois in southeastern Jackson County. Smoke should travel over rural areas of Union and Johnson Counties.
Hart Creek - Planned for Monday, March 29. Location of the prescribed burn is about 1 mile south of Herod, Illinois in northeastern Pope County.
Condro – Planned for Monday, March 29. Location of the prescribed burn is about 9 miles southwest of Golconda, Illinois in southern Pope County.
Beatty Branch – Planned for Tuesday, March 30. Location of the prescribed burn is about 6 miles northwest of Golconda, Illinois in central Pope County.
Weather highly influences fire behavior and if an area is ready to be burned. Rainfall amounts and locations are difficult to predict with the upcoming system. If rainfall, wind directions, or other elements change, burns may be postponed, or other burns may be conducted instead.
A prescribed fire is a planned event. Forest Service prescribed fires are overseen by professional firefighters with training and experience. Fire personnel plan for and carefully monitor smoke being generated during the prescribed burn. Members of the public can expect the bulk of smoke to be visible in early to mid-afternoon and dissipate before dark.
To learn more about prescribed burning and its benefit in restoring the Forest visit these websites: https://letthesunshinein.life/ and https://www.fs.usda.gov/land/shawnee/landmanagement.
To download a list and map of planned burns for Shawnee National Forest lands visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/shawnee/fire.
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