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Prescribed Burn Act Passes

New legislation will promote the safe use of prescribed fire across the state as a natural resource management tool. The Illinois Prescribed Burning Act passed both the House and the Senate unanimously, and Governor Rod Blagojevich signed it into law on August 13, 2007.

“The role of fire in Midwestern ecosystems is well documented,” says Kevin Bennett, policy associate for The Nature Conservancy. “Its use benefits plant and animal species that have evolved in fire dependant habitats such as prairies, wetlands, woodlands, and savannas.” The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the State Fire Marshal will work together to administer the law by developing minimum standards for burning. All efforts on public land will require supervision of a certified prescribed burn manager and must be confined to a manageable area. A plan outlining the positive ecological impact must be provided by landholders at the outset, and a number of other criteria will have to be met to ensure public safety and awareness.

The act does not impose requirements on private landowners, though it does offer guidelines and education to help them manage their property using fire.

“It’s important to keep in mind that prescribed burning in the hands of trained, skilled, and experienced people is safe,” adds Bennett. “Often, it’s also the most cost-effective management technique to accomplish many ecosystem restoration objectives and ecological goals.”

Restoring the natural fire cycle can set back invasive plants that choke out native trees, grasses, and wildflowers. It also promotes oak regeneration, accelerates nutrient cycling, and reduces naturally occurring plant fuels — which can lessen the risk and severity of wildfires.

The Nature Conservancy worked with a number of partners, including the Illinois Green Industry Association and the Prairie State Conservation Coalition, to get the bill enacted.

— Divina Baratta