Wildland Fire

Cuyahoga Valley conducted a prescribed fire at the site of the former Richfield Coliseum in October 2022.

NPS/Bob Trinnes

The mission of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Wildland Fire Program is to manage wildland fire to protect visitors, nearby communities, and infrastructure. Our program also works to preserve natural and cultural resources. We aim to restore and maintain natural ecosystem processes, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for both visitors and wildlife.

Why do we manage fire?

Fire plays a crucial role in ecosystem health. It maintains biodiversity, reduces hazardous fuels, and helps native plants grow. Fires have been historically infrequent in Northeast Ohio, but being prepared for them is still essential. Our fire management strategies include:

• Fire suppression: Quickly responding to wildfires to minimize damage and protect lives.
• Prescribed fire: Controlled burns set by trained professionals to mimic natural fire patterns. These burns improve ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk.
• Hazardous fuels reduction: Removing excess vegetation to decrease wildfire risk and enhance safety for park visitors and surrounding communities.

 

Wildfire response

Wildfire response strategy

Our wildfire response is a key part of our fire management program, ensuring the safety of visitors, staff, and neighbors. Some of our staff are qualified to quickly respond to wildfires to protect lives and minimize damage. We have strategic plans in place, allowing first responders, including local fire departments, to work together efficiently, especially for initial suppression.

Our response strategy includes:

• Rapid detection and reporting: Using partnerships with local fire agencies and public reporting to quickly identify and assess wildfires.
• Incident Command System (ICS): An organized structure used for managing fire incidents. ICS helps agencies work together effectively by establishing a clear chain of command and decision protocols for fire management. This ensures a timely response during emergencies.
• Nationwide support: Our trained firefighters are part of a larger system and may be called into service to manage fires across the country.

Community involvement

We encourage community engagement in wildfire preparedness. By working together, we can enhance our collective ability to respond effectively to wildfires.

The Wildland Urban Interface

The Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) refers to areas where buildings and human development are close to or surrounded by wildland vegetation, like forests or fields. Homes and businesses in and around the park require us to pay close attention to the interaction between developed and vegetated areas. Learn more about the WUI.

Stay informed and prepared

• Follow fire restrictions: Be aware of any fire restrictions or bans during high-risk periods to help prevent wildfires. Visit our current conditions page for alerts.
• Be aware and follow instructions: Pay attention to signs and do not enter closed areas. Follow directions given by emergency personnel if you are in the area of a wildfire or prescribed fire.
• Report wildfires: If you see smoke or fire, contact park authorities immediately to ensure a swift response. Call the Communication Center at 440-546-5945.
• Educate others: Share information about fire safety and the importance of fire management in protecting our park and surrounding communities.

Get involved

Volunteers regularly help remove invasive plants. This reduces dense growth and gives native plants room to thrive. Your involvement can make a significant difference in promoting fire safety and ecological health. Visit our calendar to find available volunteer opportunities.

Prescribed fire

What is prescribed fire?

It's possible that natural wildfire may have had a historical role in the oak forests of Cuyahoga Valley. But most of the available fire behavior data is for the southern part of the state. Natural fires were probably not a frequent occurrence here in Northeast Ohio. So why have we begun introducing prescribed fire into the park?

Prescribed fire is a proactive management tool used to restore ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk. Prescribed fire is part of a wider system of ecosystem management. It is used alongside mechanical and chemical methods for removing non-native plants.

Prescribed fires follow a plan carefully laid out by experts. Many factors must be taken into consideration when planning a successful burn, including:

• Location
• Types of vegetation
• Required personnel and equipment
• Surrounding areas
• Appropriate weather

Additionally, all areas of historic, cultural, and ecological importance are identified and protected throughout the planning and implementation of prescribed fires. Neighboring communities are notified by park staff when the park intends to have a prescribed fire in their area. During a prescribed fire, neighbors and visitors should notice very little interruption of services. At the time of the burn, certain roads, trails, or visitor areas may be temporarily closed if they are too close to the intended burn area.

Benefits of prescribed fire

• Ecosystem restoration and biodiversity: Fire helps maintain the health of plant and animal communities by promoting biodiversity. Similar to removing invasive species with tools, fire can clear areas of non-native plants, giving native species the opportunity to grow.
• Hazard reduction: Fire reduces the risk of larger, uncontrolled wildfires by managing fuel loads.

Our prescribed fire program

Cuyahoga Valley National Park conducts prescribed fire in targeted areas, with the following goals for each:

• The Interstate 80 “borrow pit"
  • Reduce hazardous fuels to make fires easier to control
  • Maintain native grass and plant cover
• The site of the former Richfield Coliseum
  • Support a grassland community by removing woody plant cover and non-native growth
  • Maintain an adequate ratio of grasses and native plants for ideal wildlife habitat
• Terra Vista Natural Study Area
  • Reduce hazardous fuels to protect the surrounding community
  • Allow for growth of native grasses competing against non-native species

Each fire is carefully planned with environmental factors, safety protocols, and community concerns in mind. We work closely with local fire management agencies to ensure that our practices align with regional fire management strategies.

 

Firefighters from multiple agencies work together on a prescribed fire at the site of the former Richfield Coliseum in October 2022.

NPS/Bob Trinnes

Rules for visitor fires at Cuyahoga Valley

By following rules about fires, visitors can do their part to prevent wilfires. Fires are only allowed in certain areas and under specific conditions. The Cuyahoga Valley Superintendent’s Compendium states the following regarding visitor fires in the park:

The lighting or maintaining of fires is generally prohibited, except as provided for in the following designated areas and/or receptacles, and under the conditions noted:

Designated Areas:

• Virginia Kendall Ledges
• Virginia Kendall Octagon
• Kendall Lake
• Kendall Hills
• Oak Hill area
• Small, developed picnic sites

Receptacles Allowed:
Existing grills or fireplaces, or self-contained grills

Established Conditions for Fires:
No firewood may be brought into the park. Use only NPS-provided firewood or downed wood in park.

Learn more

Find related articles below. For more information about wildland fire across the National Park Service, visit the Wildland Fire Program's website.