• Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

    Indiana Dunes

    National Lakeshore Indiana

Wildland Fire

wildland urban interface wildfire

Wildland fire on Countyline Road

The frequency of wildland fires occurring within the national lakeshore has historically been very high. There is little doubt that wildland fire has played a major role in shaping the natural landscape of the park. There are an average of 20 to 30 wildland fires in the park each year.
 

In and around the Lakeshore’s 15,000 plus acres there are 13 local fire departments, and a state park. Fire Management staff at the lakeshore work in close cooperation with these departments on most wildfires.
Within the boundaries of the park there are several residential communities that are considered part of the wildland urban interface. Since they all border on park property they are considered at possible risk from wildland fire.

 
Firefighters in front of map discussing tactics on a wildfire
Wildland fire briefing
 

  • Get the latest National wildland fire information Get the latest National wildland fire information

    Link to the EACC website

  • Fire Prevention and Education Fire Prevention and Education

    Wildland fire education at the Lakeshore Read More

  • Fire Management Home Fire Management Home

    Learn about fire management at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Read More

  • Planned Ignitions & Fire Effects Planned Ignitions & Fire Effects

    Learn about prescribed fire and fire ecology at Indiana Dunes Read More

Did You Know?

water color painting of a wetland

Poet Carl Sandburg and Artist Frank Dudley were inspired by the dunes. Today, through the park's Artist-in-Residence program, artists come to the dunes to create and share their work.