Here is a message from Madison Parks Conservation Resource Supervisor Paul Quinlan about plans for prescribed burns at Cherokee Marsh this fall:
Parks regularly conducts prescribed burns on conservation parks to restore and maintain prairie and savanna habitat. Our conservation staff is trained and experienced in proper techniques for igniting and controlling the fire, and managing impacts related to smoke. We have the proper equipment and we develop a burn plan for each management unit, which details our protocol and required weather conditions. We have also secured a permit from the Fire Department.
We need a series of 3 or 4 days without rain, moderately warm temperatures, and relative humidity around 30-40%. This usually occurs in mid-November, but of course, could happen any time until it snows. If we cannot conduct these burns this fall, we would attempt them next spring instead.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Paul Quinlan
Conservation Resource Supervisor
Madison Parks
608-267-4918
pquinlan@cityofmadison.com