Prescribed Burns
Project Details
Project Information
The City of Madison Parks and Engineering Divisions conduct prescribed burns to promote the establishment, promote and maintain native vegetation, as part of the Madison Parks Land Management Plan.
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 occur after comprehensive planning and under specific weather conditions conducive to a safe and manageable operation. Read more Prescribed Burns: Reducing Wildfire Risks & Protecting Habitats.
A precise schedule is impossible as burns depend on specific weather conditions: temperatures above 40 degrees and relative humidity between 20% and 50%. Wind direction influences which locations can be burned to prevent dense smoke from affecting sensitive areas like roadways and neighborhoods. Crews can only plan a day or two in advance to conduct burns at the sites listed below.