County plans controlled burn of Elgin wetland area

ELGIN — As contrary as it might sound to the many of us who grew up with the old Smokey Bear mantra "Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires" driven into our heads, sometimes a little burn can be a good thing when it comes to the environment.

That is what is behind a plan by Kane County's Division of Transportation to conduct a "controlled burn" of about 2 acres of land along Big Timber Road between Tyrrell Road and Meadows Drive sometime between Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Rosemont-based environmental engineering firm Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd., has been contracted to set the fire, which should take about four hours to complete, depending upon weather conditions.

Burke Engineering Senior Environmental Specialist Robert Sliwinski said one of the goals is to reduce the amount of invasive weeds within the area, as well as stimulate the germination of more desirable native plants.

"Sometimes native plants have seeds that need fire to break the seed coat," he said. "Sometimes the fire reduces the competition from weeds by killing off some of the weeds."

Sliwinski said a controlled burn typically begins by setting a fire using a mixture of diesel and gasoline around the perimeter of the targeted area to protect the other natural area as well as neighboring homes.

Once the perimeter is finished, a series of "strip burns" are conducted in small segments throughout the targeted area to control the amount of smoke produced.

"We protect the outside so that there's no way for the fire to jump over," he said. "And then we work toward the inside."

Although the burn poses no real threat for neighboring residents or wildlife, Sliwinski did caution those with any health issues and who might have questions to contact the company prior to Tuesday at 847-823-0500. Those with more questions regarding the burn can contact KDOT at 630-584-1170.