Crews Manning Controlled Burn at George Dunne Forest Preserve

Photo: An example of a controlled burn | Courtesy of Forest Preserve District of Cook County

A fire set at George Dunne Forest Preserve near 167th and Central Avenue is a prescribed burn, forest preserve officials said Monday.

The Forest Preserve District, like other land management agencies, uses prescribed burns as a key land management tool. Done under the careful watch of trained burn crews, prescribed burns help maintain a healthy ecosystem. They also help prevent and minimize wildfires by eliminating the accumulation of dry fuel (sticks, leaves, dead grass) on the ground.

Burn season is usually November through early December in fall, and March through early April in spring.