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IDNR warns of increased fire potential
Unusually dry March a factor in hazardous conditions
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[APRIL 9, 2005]
SPRINGFIELD
-- Fires at several Illinois Department of Natural Resources
properties recently have officials warning of potentially
problematic conditions. The Illinois Water Survey, a division of
Department of Natural Resources, reports that March was the
16th-driest on record in Illinois. Dry conditions prevail at a time
when natural debris has accumulated on the ground and before plants
have begun the spring growth that makes them less vulnerable to
catching fire.
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"It is essential that anyone heading
out to our parks and natural areas be conscientious in their use of
flammable materials," said Joel Brunsvold, director of the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources. "Conditions are such that a single
spark can cause extensive damage."
Fires have occurred at Green River
Wildlife Area, Sand Prairie Habitat Area, Volo Bog and at the Lake
in the Hills Fen. The most extensive damage occurred at Green River
Wildlife Area and nearby Sand Prairie Habitat Area, where 750 acres
burned on March 29.
"We are fortunate that we have
adhered to a prescribed burn plan in Illinois for the past two
decades," said Tom Wilson, IDNR program manager for forest
protection. "That means we have followed the ways of Mother Nature
in burning prairie grasses. Our damages right now are much less than
they might have been with these conditions if we didn't have a
prescribed burn plan. When dead leaves, grasses and branches
accumulate, they are like tinder to a stray spark. We've eliminated
some of that debris naturally with controlled burns, which reduces
our risk factors."
Wilson advises anyone planning to
burn outdoors for any reason to be alert to weather conditions that
can lead to a fire burning out of control. Wilson says fires should
not be set if winds are blowing more than 15 mph or when humidity is
below 40 percent. The risk is currently higher in northern Illinois.
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 The causes of the recent fires on
Department of Natural Resources properties vary. Investigators
suspect an arsonist started the fires at Green River Wildlife Area
and Sand Prairie Habitat Area. The Illinois Conservation Foundation
is offering a reward of $500 for information leading to a conviction
in those fires.
"ICF is dedicated to stewardship of
Illinois Resources," said Jesse Hansen, director of the Illinois
Conservation Foundation. "We hope that the person or people
responsible can be caught swiftly and brought to justice."
Illinois Conservation Police are
investigating the suspicious fires. Anyone with information about
who is responsible for starting the fires should call (815)
625-2968.
"We have been fortunate up to this
point that the fires have all been contained to public property,"
said Mike Conlin, INDR director of resource conservation. "We
appreciate the hard work of firefighters on each of the locations,
we appeal to the public for cooperation preventing fires, and hope
for some good soaking rains in the next couple of weeks."
[Illinois
Department of Natural Resources news release]
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