Now Canceled: Elmhurst Burn Was Somewhere, Sometime

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst residents recently got notices in the mail about a planned controlled burn.

But the information was vague. And residents asked officials about it at a City Council committee meeting Monday night.

Late Tuesday morning, the city announced all burns have been canceled. It said proper notice will be sent with more detail, including locations and times.

Crystal Lake-based Baxter & Woodman Natural Resources informed residents that it would conduct a controlled burn "located near or adjacent to your property."

The firm said the burn would occur "in the next few weeks."

It said the exact date is not set until the morning of the burn, once the weather is considered favorable.

After the residents asked about the burn at the meeting, Assistant City Manager Mike Kopp said he would get information.

Near the end of the meeting, Kopp said he learned the public works department was in the second year of a three-year contract with Baxter & Woodman to burn off natural grasses in the city's stormwater detention areas.

He said the city planned to ask the firm to resend notices with better information. The city would also put out a statement on its website about the controlled burn, he said.

According to the notice, Baxter & Woodman plans to have a full-time firefighter on hand during the burn. Local fire departments will also be notified, the company said.

"Weather conditions are closely monitored throughout the burn to ensure maximum safety," the notice said.

In the notice, residents are urged to call Baxter & Woodman at 815-444-3205 or email cmcconnell@baxterwoodman.com for more information.

Residents at the meeting said their calls have not been returned. When Patch called twice Tuesday morning, the phone rang a few times and then a busy signal sounded.