Prescribed Burns

Project Details

  • Estimated Schedule

    – Exact dates vary. Burn season months are typically March, April, October, November
  • Impact

    Minor

Project Information

The City of Madison Parks and Engineering Divisions will conduct prescribed burns to promote the establishment of native vegetation, as part of Madison Parks Land Management Plan. As part of the Plan, we use a variety of tools such as prescribed burns and goat grazing to establish, promote and maintain natural vegetation.

NOTE: There can be no exact schedule because burns must be conducted when specific weather conditions occur.  Generally, the outdoor temperature is above 40 degrees and relative humidity is between 20% and 50%.  The wind direction determines which locations can be burned on which days because crews must avoid sending dense smoke into sensitive areas like roadways and neighborhoods. Crews can only plan a day or two as they attempt to accomplish burns at the list of sites below.

A prescription burn at Prairie Ridge in 2017.

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. 

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