The Nationwide Park Service is planning to conduct 5 prescribed fires this fall of areas totaling greater than 1,400 acres in Indiana Dunes Nationwide Park, in response to a Fb publish from the City of Chesterton.
One of many burns is a carryover from final yr, when unfavorable climate circumstances precluded its completion.
An inventory of the 5 burns is under:
- Tolleston East Prescribed Fireplace: 550 acres—the biggest burn on the schedule—situated instantly south and east of Ogden Dunes, with U.S. 12 to the north, County Line Highway to the west, and Stagecoach Highway to the south and east.
- Grand Blvd./Marquette Path Prescribed Fireplace: 374 acres situated north of U.S. 12 and west of County Line Highway.
- Howes Prairie Prescribed Fireplace Unit: 417 acres close to Dune Acres and Porter Seashore. “This hearth was tried within the fall of 2022 however was not in a position to be accomplished as a consequence of unfavorable climate circumstances,” NPS mentioned. “This burn unit incorporates the primary ever acreage burned in a prescribed hearth at Indiana Dunes, in 1986.”
- 25 acres can be burned close to the Inexperienced Belt Parking Lot on North Mineral Springs Highway, simply south of Dune Acres, as a part of the restoration of the Cowles Lavatory wetland advanced.
- 77 acres surrounding and together with the Dunewood Campground. “Burning the yr’s fallen leaves and any branches on the bottom reduces the fuels accessible ought to a hearth escape a hearth ring throughout the spring and summer season tenting season subsequent yr,” NPS mentioned.
“Clear administration targets and goals have been established for every burn unit,” NPS famous. “Earlier than burning, a chosen set of circumstances should exist together with supreme wind velocity and route, and relative humidity. Climate circumstances can be monitored all through the period of the burn to make sure the hearth is accomplished safely. Fireplace is used as a device for the park’s long-term habitat restoration and hazard gasoline discount efforts.“
Residents of Lake and Porter Counties might register to obtain prescribed hearth notifications by way of the Smart911 system. Go to www.smart911.com to enroll on this free service, which gives emergency notifications, a personal 911 security profile, and a weak wants registry.
