Prescribed burns slated this spring in Driftless area

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans to conduct prescribed burns this spring in the Driftless area. Locally, burns will occur throughout four of the counties managed by the DNR Upper Iowa Wildlife Unit, including burns in Winneshiek, Allamakee, Fayette, and Howard Counties.

Wildlife Management Areas (WMA’s) scheduled for prescribed fires include: Chimney Rocks, Cardinal Marsh, Coon Creek, Falcon Springs, Kendallville and South Bear Creek in Winneshiek County; Black Hawk Point, Canoe Creek, Fish Farm Mounds, French Creek, Lansing and Waterloo Creek in Allamakee County; Glovers Creek in Fayette County; and Hayden Prairie, Crossman Prairie and Turkey River in Howard County.

Prescribed burn units are typically burned every one to five years and vary in size from 1 to 100 acres or more. Prescribed burns are used to improve wildlife habitat, control invasive plant species, restore and maintain native plant communities and reduce wildfire potential. Ground nesting birds such as pheasants, mallards, bobolinks, dickcissels and many others will benefit from habitat improved with periodic prescribed fire. Most prescribed burns will take place between the months of April and May. Burns will be conducted on a day that meets the objectives and weather prescription defined in the burn plan.

For questions about the prescribed burns in your area contact DNR Wildlife Biologist Troy Anderson at (563)546-7960.

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