During the spring season, the Village conducts ecological burns for the purpose of natural area management to encourage new growth of native vegetation. While fire encourages native plant growth, it can also discourage invasive plant growth and provides improved wildlife habitat and a favorable environment for native species to flourish. The black earth left behind after a fire warms more quickly in the spring, which gives native species a jumpstart in growth over unburned areas. Other benefits include accelerated nutrient cycling in the soil and decreased fuel loads that will reduce the likelihood of wildfire.
Residents with respiratory health conditions are encouraged to contact Maribeth Reimer at (708) 442-3590 ext. 500 to be added to the burn notification list. As the ecological burns are dependent on weather and wind conditions, the Department of Public Works will not know for certain whether or not they will conduct a burn until the actual day of the burn following a successful test burn. We appreciate your cooperation and patience with this important ecological process to improve our natural areas.