Wildland Fire

The Wildland Fire Management team handles many different types of fires in the park. Some fires can be environmental or caused accidentally, while others are planned as a way to maintain or conserve the natural landscapes and ecosystems.

 

A fire in beach grass.

NPS photo

Unplanned Ignitions

All unplanned fires in the park will be put out as quickly as possible. The Great Lakes Fire Management Zone staff work closely with interagency partners including Indiana Department of Natural Resources, local fire departments of Porter and Lake Counties and the City of Gary, IN.

Visitors can help prevent accidental fires by reviewing safe fire practices and by reporting fires to park staff.

 

Planned fire in a wooded area.

NPS photo

Planned Ignitions

Prescribed fire is used to ignite low intensity fires when weather conditions are right. The goal of prescribed fire is to reduce hazardous fuel build-up, while safely reintroducing fire to the ecosystem to meet specific resource management objectives.

 

Firefighter lighting a prescribed fire.

NPS photo

Mechanical Treatments

A variety of tools and equipment are used to reduce forest fuels in the park. They include the use of chain saws, weed eaters, hand crews, and chippers to maintain defensible space around buildings, create and maintain shaded fuel breaks, and to clear along roadways. Small trees and brush are cut, piled and burned during appropriate times.