Lakeshore plans to burn prairie brush

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Updated: February 27, 2012 9:48AM

National Park Service firefighters will burn brush piles this winter at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

The burn piles are at the national lakeshore’s Mnoké Prairie on Beam Street west of U.S. 20. Approximately 100 piles of cut brush from prairie restoration work will be burned. Controlled burning of the brush piles in the winter reduces the amount of hazardous fuels on the prairie in the dry spring months.

The prescribed fire program at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is conducted by trained and experienced National Park Service fire personnel.

Smoke dispersal is a primary concern and park staff will do everything possible to limit smoke in the area by monitoring wind and atmospheric conditions prior to ignitions, according to the park service. However, smoke drifting in and around park lands and roadways is possible.

Before burning, a designated set of conditions must exist including ideal air temperature, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity.

For more information on the park, go to www.nps.gov/indu.