SPECIAL FOCUS


The Federal Clean Air Act has also developed both Reasonably Available Control Measures (RACM) and Best Available Control Measures (BACM) for prescribed fires just like any other source of air pollution. The emissions from prescribed fires are accounted for in the State of Illinois State Implementation Plan for compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act. IEPA has other conditions on when burns can he conducted to address air quality issues.

Won't the neighbors complain?

Virtually any change or new program an agency undertakes has the potential to generate complaints. Most people who complain, though, are just looking for information such as what's included in this article.

Susy has asthma and lives near the park. Will she be harmed?

Local residents with medical conditions that might be aggravated by smoke are a concern. The IEPA Open Burning Permit requires that individuals living or working near the site be notified of the proposed open burning. Letters with a reply card or tear-off form work well.

Once you identify' where your smoke-sensitive neighbors live, many options exist. Using a wind direction to blow smoke away from them is one. If those who are sensitive are school-age children, burning during school hours works well. For adults, burning during work hours is another possibility. At times creativity such as offering a ticket to a local theater, and a friendly approach are needed.

What areas should be burned?

Virtually all ecosystems in Illinois will benefit from a fire. Wetlands and wetland mitigation sites will often have requirements for prescribed fires as part of the ACOE permits.

One good indicator is to look at the areas that the maintenance crews have the hardest time mowing or you never could keep a decent stand of turf in place. Consider installing a native grass stand more tolerant of the site conditions, then burning every two to three years. This will be much less expensive and more friendly to the environment.

Do prescribed fires kill animals?

Animals have evolved with fire. Larger mammals such as deer, fox, and coyote just move out of the burn area. They return quickly.

Leaving an unburned area on smaller urban sites as a refuge area is a good idea. At times smaller mammals like rabbits, voles and some types of snakes may not make it into their underground burrows in time when a fire moves through an area. Yet, watching a red tail hawk diving and feeding just behind the fire as it passes remind me of some of nature's cycles and balances.

How will they keep the fire from burning down the whole neighborhood?

Natural barriers such as open water, man-made barriers such as roads or trails and constructed fire breaks are all used. Yet, winds can shift and the unexpected can happen. Wildland (or vegetation) fires are much different to control than structure fires which local fire departments are trained to handle. Having personnel trained in the basics of wildland fire suppression is a common-sense precaution. If you are going to light the fire on purpose, you should be trained to put it out just in case.

It looks dangerous. Can our staff do it?

Thousands of acres of natural areas are burned each year in Illinois. When done by trained and experienced crews with the proper equipment, it is a safe and effective management practice.

There are enough agencies using fire that the Park District Risk Management Association (PDRMA) has loss control recommendations. These include personal protective equipment of NOMEX III flame retardant clothing, helmet, goggles, gloves and boots. Training for crews and burn supervisors in fire behavior, smoke management and managing liability exposures are all available.

Well, I guess PRESCRIBED FIRES ARE okay. Where do we go from here?

The Park and Natural Resource Management section of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association can be a valuable resource. Additional resources include the Illinois Department of Natural Resources District Heritage Biologists, Illinois Nature Preserve Commission, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. On the Internet, visit http:// members.aol.com/Pfcstanton/pfc.html to find links to several other helpful sites. Or, do a search on 'prescribed fire."

There are many 'burning" and controversial questions with the use of fire in natural areas. Yet, most of the issues occur when basic safety or public relations procedures have been ignored. Hopefully this article will give you the information to be able to begin to "burn part of your parks."

BOB STANTON
Is the assistant projects manager for Pizzo and Associates, Ltd. He has 22 years of Illinois natural resource and fire management experience. He can be reached at Pizzo and Associates, Ltd., 4641 W. 20th Street, Cicero, IL 60804-25112, 708.209.1600 or email, pizzo_assoc@msn.com



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