Even with outdoor temps hovering in single digits, there’s no staying indoors for Ryan Solomon, ecological restoration supervisor for the St. Charles Park District. Year-round Solomon and his crew tend to the park district’s 400+ acres of natural areas, including savannahs, wetlands and woodlands.
And before the spring thaw and first buds push through the winter soil, Solomon and his team are preparing for their annual prescribed burns to clear away invasive plants and in turn, support native plant growth.
“A prescribed burn is one of the most effective tools in natural resource management,” Solomon explained. “Native plants have evolved with the ability to withstand the fire.”
Though a burn appears to be eating away at vegetation, it plays an important role in supporting the native plant life. While the fire is feasting on the plant life above the soil, the key to survival is the native plant species with their deep root systems below the soil.
“The burn for native plants, is like a quick shear haircut, taking the top of the vegetation while for non-native plants, that have short fibrous roots that spread horizontally in the top layer of the soil, the burn has much more impact on these plants that do not have an adaptive root structure,” Solomon said.
The prescribed burn recreates a natural burn cycle that occurred more naturally for thousands of years. An example of this is when a lightning strike ignites a fire that passes through a savannah, prairie or other natural ecosystem almost like a quick reset button for the structure of these habitats.
“We’re trying to re-introduce that cycle that at one time, was naturally occurring,” Solomon said. “Many species do very well after the fire. For example, the wildflowers bloom more readily.”
While the lightning strike was unpredictable, Solomon and his crew seek out very precise factors and weather conditions as they prepare for the prescribed burn. As Solomon monitors weather forecasts, he is looking for the ideal humidity between 40 to 65 percent, sustained wind speeds with lack of uncontrollable gusts and proper wind direction. Each element plays an important factor. Without considering the wind direction, the burn at Ferson Fen could send plumes of smoke across Route 31 and impair drivers.
“Every burn is different. You never have the same exact conditions,” Solomon said.
While there are advance notifications to all businesses, residents and organizations near the locations where Solomon is aiming to have prescribed burns, the day of the burn requires additional notifications through social media channels as well as keeping park district staff and community fire safety staff in the loop, to be able to answer questions. His team also places signage nearby.
Another factor is ensuring the safety of wildlife. While large animals, like deer, can evacuate an area, small rodents that have emerged from their winter burrows and garter snakes that have left their hibernacula would be vulnerable in a fire. Solomon said as his crew prepares for the burn they are keeping an eye on signs these animals are present. Signs of nesting woodcocks will signal that site is no longer part of this season’s prescribed burn locations, Solomon said. This is why the timing of the prescribed burns often starts in February and Solomon aims to complete the work in early March.
It takes a dedicated crew to manage the prescribed burns, with the goal to clear roughly 100 acres through prescribed burns. The science and safety of each burn is why Solomon encouraged his three-member restoration crew to go the extra mile and certify as Prescribed Burn Managers in Illinois.
“My entire staff is Burn Boss Certified, which means they are more skilled and better experienced to handle situations,” Solomon said.
Having the certification and careful planning also demonstrates the park district’s support when it comes to its natural areas.
“St. Charles Park District is very unique in having one of the most robust nature area programs and invests resources into our nature areas,” Solomon said. “We’re trying to protect the native species.”