Fall Prescribed Fires Planned for Indiana Dunes National Park

The National Park Service plans to conduct eight prescribed fires this Spring starting Monday, Feb. 28. Approximately 1,105 acres are planned within the following areas of the park:

• 619 acres are planned in the Cowles Dune area in the center of the park;

• 60 acres of prairie are planned north of the intersection of U.S. Route 20 and Interstate 94 in the Porter/Burns Harbor area;

• 67 acres are planned around the Dunewood Campground;

• 92 acres are planned south of Furnessville Road, west of the campground, near the Glenwood Dunes Trail;

• 16 acres are planned to maintain defensible space around the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education, on North Lake Street near Gary's Miller neighborhood;

• 251 acres are planned west of County Line Road, north of U.S. Highway 20 and south of U.S. Route 12;

• One-quarter acres are planned for burning in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey's Biological Resources Division at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk.

These prescribed fires help reduce the risk of wildfire and increase defensible space around infrastructure providing a buffer to stop wildfire spread. This improves firefighter and public safety and provides a better chance of preventing fire damage to structures.

Prescribed fire at Indiana Dunes National Park is an essential tool in the park's long-term natural resources restoration goals. Fire helps remove invasive species, opens tree canopies and increases wildlife habitat.

Residents of Lake and Porter Counties may sign up to receive prescribed fire notifications through the Smart911 system. Visit www.smart911.com to register for this free service, which provides emergency notifications, a private 911 safety profile, and a vulnerable needs registry. Fire updates will also be posted on the Indiana Dunes National Park Facebook page: www.facebok.com/IndianaDunesNPS.

More information on programs or projects at Indiana Dunes National Park is available via phone at 219-395-1882, on the park's website: www.nps.gov/indu, and the National Park Service App.