Prescribed Fire Contractor in Illinois and Michigan
Controlled Burns of Natural Areas enhance Wildflowers & are More Effective than Mowing
Prescribed Fire Safety Is Always First & Foremost
We conduct our burns in the safest manner possible. Our burn crew leaders are Illinois Certified Prescribed Burn Managers and all crew members complete National Wildfire Coordinating Group firefighting courses. When conducting a controlled burn, we take great measures to ensure it has been permitted and approved by the proper regulatory agencies.
In order to safely conduct a burn, we start by scheduling the burn based on weather forecasts. Parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind direction/speed, cloud cover, recent precipitation and others help us determine what the likely fire behavior will be during the burn. If the predicted fire behavior is outside of safe parameters, we do not conduct the burn.
Take a look at our prescribed fire training, testament to the dedication and investment in safety training.
Controlled Burns Near Homes & Businesses
If you see a prescribed fire being applied by our crews near your residence or place of business, know that we have already contacted the local fire department beforehand and that they are ready to quickly assist if needed.
If you know that the area will be burned by Pizzo and Associates, we ask that you call (815) 495-5008 and share your exact location and contact information. With your location, we can refer to our burn maps to let you how much smoke you may experience on the day of the burn so you can take appropriate precautions.
Why do you burn natural areas?
A Controlled Burn Replicates Nature’s Method
All of Northern Illinois’ native ecosystems and surrounding areas are fire dependent and require the reintroduction of fire for the benefit of native flora and fauna. That may sound complicated, but essentially means that fire is as much a part of the region’s landscape as snow in the winter or storms in the spring. Many species’ seeds need an extended period in freezing conditions to begin germination, and some species need their seeds to be charred or heated before they’ll germinate. Native perennial wildflowers and grasses go dormant each winter. This means that while they have roots that stay alive during the winter, the above ground portion of the plant dies each fall.
A burn removes dead plant material and darkens the soil by creating ash and charred material, allowing the soil to warm earlier in the spring. This extra warmth extends the growing season by days or even weeks, and the native plants (still alive below the surface) are ready to take advantage of this extra time. Ash and charred material have beneficial effects in the soil and is a major part of carbon sequestration in prairies. Many species of plants produce more flowers in the year immediately following a prescribed fire.
Prescribed Fire Contractor Questions
If you are looking for additional information about a controlled burn near your residence or place of business, or have questions about prescribed fire for your property, please call our prescribed fire hotline at (815) 495-5008.
How long does it take for the plants and flowers to grow back after a Rx Fire?
Native plants will re-grow faster than if there had not been a burn. The removal of the insulating layer of dead plant matter from the previous growing season combined with the darkening of the soil by ashes and charred material mean that the soil warms more quickly in the early spring, allowing plants to germinate sooner. This early growth allows the growing season to be extended by as much as two or three weeks.
Will animals be harmed by the fire?
No. They will instinctively run away or hide deep underground. All native animals have a way of adapting to changing weather, and they have a way of adapting to the presence of fire as well.
What if you damaged something of mine during burning?
If you have a plastic greenhouse or some other highly heat sensitive item near the burn area, call (815) 495-5008, and leave a message with your address and a description of the item.
If you feel something was damaged during a burn please call (815) 495-5008, and we will arrange for someone to meet you as soon as possible.
What states do you provide prescribed fire in?
We have three locations in Illinois for prescribed fire and travel to Wisconsin, Iowa, and Indiana. We also have a location in Michigan. These are the most popular states we provide prescribed fire to. However, we are not limited to these states and have traveled throughout the United States because we have more trained personnel than most restoration companies in the US. We often subcontract with other landscape companies who do not have the training to complete a controlled burn.
Prescribed Fire Insights from Our Blog
Prescribed Fire: The Role of Fire in Ecological Restoration
For thousands of years fire took on a more natural and necessary role in cleaning out debris to create a more vibrant ecosystem. As widespread fire suppression occurred, the natural fuel began to build up to the point where wildfires are a catastrophic event. Controlled burns can alleviate that risk and go back to the time where a low-intensity fire can help an ecosystem thrive.
Clear Natural Areas in Winter
Clear natural areas in the winter to prepare the land for healthier, more sustainable growth in the upcoming year.
Annual Prescribed Fire Training
Every year, Pizzo & Associates team members complete in-depth training for prescribed fire (aka controlled burns). It doesn’t matter if team members are brand new or have been involved in multiple burn seasons. The safety of everyone involved including the properties we service, are of utmost importance.
