Southern Illinois’ prescribed burns typically take place between the months of October and May. Each year the Shawnee National Forest plans and prepares areas to conduct prescribe burns in various locations across the Shawnee National Forest. While the objectives of each prescribed burn may differ, they all generally fall into one or more of the following categories:
To stimulate growth of native vegetation that are well-adapted to fire, and impede vegetation that is not.
To improve wildlife habitat.
To improve the visual quality of the area.
To reduce the likelihood and severity of a wildfire, thereby increasing safety for the public and firefighters in case of a wildfire.
