It can be startling to see fire and smoke in your neighborhood, but sometimes, it’s a good thing!
WHAT ARE PRESCRIBED BURNS AND WHY DO THEY DO THEM?
This spring the City of Madison Parks and Engineering Divisions will conduct prescribed burns to promote establishment of native vegetation. Prescribed burns are the intentional use of fire, under specific environmental conditions, to manage and suppress invasive vegetation. Many of Wisconsin’s native species have adapted to survive or to benefit from fire events, while at the same time the presence of invasive or undesirable species is reduced. Prescribed burns are an important management tool for natural areas, especially for several of Wisconsin’s native plant communities.
Prescribed burns occur after comprehensive planning and under specific weather conditions which are conducive to a safe and manageable operation. Burns occur in the spring and may also be conducted in the fall of 2020, depending on conditions, analysis of existing vegetation, and management goals, and are permitted by the Fire Department.
If you received a postcard informing you of prescribed burns in your neighborhood, please consider registering your cellphone number to receive informational alerts from the Dane County Emergency Warning System. The “Reverse-911” automated phone calls that neighbors receive before a prescribed burn begins reaches all land lines, but only those cellphones that are registered.
To register, click on the following link and create a profile, where you can enter your address and phone number. Please note that Dane County uses phone, email and text, but not the smartphone app.
https://em.countyofdane.com/warning/telephone
WHERE WILL THE BURNS HAPPEN?
Conservation Sites – Please contact Paul Quinlan at (608) 267-4918.
Spring
- Bear Mound Park (Volunteer-led burn site)
- Burrows Park
- Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park- North Unit
- Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park- South Unit
- Churchill Heights Park
- Demetral Park
- Edna Taylor Conservation Park
- Heritage Prairie Conservation Park
- Hoyt Park
- Hudson Park
- Kingston-Onyx Park
- Meadow Ridge Conservation Park
- Monona Park
- Odana Hills Golf Course (Volunteer-led burn site)
- Owen Conservation Park
- Prairie Ridge Conservation Park
- Reindahl Park
- Sherman Village Park
- Stricker’s Pond Conservation Park
- Tenney Park
- Turville Point Conservation Park
- Warner Park
- Woodland Hills Park
Parks Sites – Please contact Sarah Close at (608) 263-6850.
Spring
- Brittingham Park
- Esther Beach Park
- Goodman Park
- James Madison Park
- McPike Park
- Olin Park
- Penn Park
- Tenney Park
- Walnut Grove Park
- Warner Park
- Yahara River Parkway
Engineering Sites – Please contact Maddie Dumas at (608) 266-9525.
Spring
- Attic Angel Pond and Greenways
- Ashworth Dr Pond
- Broad Creek Blvd Greenway
- Capital City Trail/Atwood Prairie Plantings (Volunteer-led burn)
- Dayton & North Raingarden
- Hancock Street Raingardens
- Harrington Dr Pond
- Harvest Moon at South Point Rd Pond
- Indian Hills Park Bioretention Basin
- Ivy Street Raingardens
- Lower Badger Mill Creek Greenway- East Tributary Gingergrass Way Section
- Lower Badger Mill Creek Greenway- Lift Station Section
- Regent Street Medians
- Southwest Bike Path- Glenway (Volunteer-led burn)
- Southwest Bike Path- Odana (Volunteer-led burn)
- Spring Harbor Beach Bioretention Basin
- Straw Harvest Lane Ponds
- Tree Lane Greenway
- Valley View at Redan Infiltration Pond
- Vilas Raingarden #1
- Vilas Raingarden #2
- Woodman’s East Channel
