News

Heat and Snow Hamper Burns

Our always variable spring weather troubled burn management teams a bit more than usual this year. A batch of 70- and 80-degree days were followed by relatively heavy rains and then a slushy snow on April 11. The warm weather prompted spring ephemerals to green-up early—usually a sign that it’s too late to burn woodlands—then several inches of late snow doused the fuel. Many other sites were simply under water.

The McHenry County Conservation District began by “knocking back some of the cool season grasses such as reed canary grass and brome,” said Brad Woodson, restoration ecologist. After two weeks, they weren’t close to meeting their burn goals so the team extended the season and eventually succeeded with some big burns to push past the 1,000-acre milestone.

Altogether, districts reported burning slightly more than 4,000 acres. Last spring, when conditions were particularly favorable, more than 7,000 acres were successfully burned.

— Alison Carney Brown