The National Park
Service (NPS) is planning several prescribed fires this fall at Indiana
Dunes National Lakeshore.
“Approximately
1,075 acres are scheduled to be burned,” NPS said in a statement released on
Monday. “Fire is used as a tool for the park’s long-term restoration and
hazard fuel reduction efforts.”
Affected areas:
* 177 acres on the
south and east side of Dune Acres, to be burned as part of the Howe’s
Prairie/Lupine Lane burn. “This carefully controlled fire will help lower
the threat of wildfire on the east side of Dune Acres by reducing available
fuels on the ground,” NPS said. “Fire in this area is also essential in
restoring the oak savanna prairie ecosystem.”
* 196 acres of the
Mnoke Prairie, on Beam Street west of U.S. Highway 12, not far from the
National Lakeshore’s HQ. This burn “is part of a
long-term restoration program that sees the area burned every other year,”
NPS said.
* 174 acres in
Hobart, on the west side of Lake George along the Oak Savanna Bike Trail.
“This burn is part of the continuing restoration of
former farmland back into thriving woodland,” NPS said.
* And 528
acres--the largest of the four--in the Tolleston Dunes in Portage,
immediately south of U.S. 12 and east of the Porter-Lake County Line Road.
“This burn helps to maintain critical habitat for the
endangered Karner Blue Butterfly,” NPS said.
Residents of Porter
County may sign up to receive prescribed fire notifications through Porter
County’s new “Alert Porter County” system, NPS noted. As part of the
program, residents can register to receive a text message, email, or voice
message when prescribed fires are happening at Indiana Dunes National
Lakeshore. Go towww.smart911.com
In addition, the
National Lakeshore announces prescribed fire activity on its Facebook page
at
www.facebok.com/IndianaDunesNL
“The prescribed
fire program at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is conducted by trained and
experienced National Park Service fire personnel,” NPS said. “Smoke
dispersal is a primary concern and park staff will do everything possible to
limit smoke in the area by monitoring wind and atmospheric conditions prior
to ignitions. However, smoke drifting in and around park lands and roadways
is possible.”
“Clear management
goals and objectives have been established for each burn unit,” NPS added.
“Before burning, a designated set of conditions must exist including ideal
air temperature, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity. Weather
conditions will be monitored throughout the duration of the burn to ensure
the fire is completed safely.”
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Posted 10/6/2015
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