News Release

National Park Service to Conduct Five Prescribed Fires

Date: October 11, 2018

The National Park Service is planning five prescribed fires this fall at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Approximately 1,233 acres are scheduled to be burned. Fire is used as a tool for the park’s long-term restoration and hazard fuel reduction efforts.
 
On the south and east side of Dune Acres, 543 acres are to be burned as part of the Howes Prairie/Lupine Lane Prescribed Fire. This prescribed fire will help in creating a buffer to lower the threat of wildfire on the east side of Dune Acres. By park staff intentionally burning the leaves, brush and other forest debris, there is less fuel on the ground for a wildfire to burn resulting in decreased threat to the facility. Fire in this area is also essential in restoring the Oak Savanna prairie ecosystem.
 
In the Miller neighborhood of Gary, two separate burns along the Marquette Trail are planned. The 299 acre Grand Boulevard Prescribed Fire is south of the Marquette Trail from Grand Boulevard west to County Line Rd. The Marquette Trail Prescribed Fire, 37 acres, is planned for north of the trail, just east of the new Gary Middle School on Parke Street.
 
Near Beverly Shores, the NPS plans to burn 77 acres of property in and around the Dunewood Campground and also 277 acres at the north end of East State Park Road, near the Kemil Parking lot.
 
Residents of Porter County may sign up to receive prescribed fire notifications through Porter County’s Alert Porter County system. As part of the program, residents can sign up to receive a text message, email or voice message when prescribed fires are happening at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Go to www.smart911.com to sign-up for this free service or download the Smart911 app for your smartphone. Additionally, the national lakeshore announces prescribed fire activity on it's Facebook page.
 
The prescribed fire program at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is conducted by trained and experienced National Park Service fire personnel. Smoke dispersal is a primary concern and park staff will do everything possible to limit smoke in the area by monitoring wind and atmospheric conditions prior to ignitions. However, smoke drifting in and around park lands and roadways is possible.
 
Clear management goals and objectives are established for each burn unit. Before burning, a designated set of conditions must exist including ideal air temperature, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity. Weather conditions will be monitored throughout the duration of the burn to ensure the fire is completed safely.
 

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www.nps.gov/indu

 
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is one of 417 units of the National Park System ranging from Yellowstone to the Statue of Liberty. Located in Northwest Indiana, the park includes 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and 15,000 acres of biodiverse beaches, woods, prairies, and marshes. Up to 2 million visitors come to the Indiana Dunes each year. Check our Facebook page.