Smoke may be seen for miles during prescribed burns

The Wisconsin DNR has two prescribed burns set for Sunday, April 21, 2024 in southern Fond du Lac County as well as northern Dodge County.

The Waupun Fire Department says they were made aware of a 130 acre burn set to start around 11 AM in the area of Peachy Road in the northwest portion of the Horicon Marsh.

According to the DNR’s website, a 53 acre burn is also planned for today near the Oakfield Ledge Conservation Area near Breakneck Road.

Large plumes of smoke can often be seen for miles from these burns.

Prescribed burns are the intentional application of fire to a specific pre-planned area, under specific environmental conditions, to accomplish planned land management objectives. Without the use of prescribed burning as a management tool, Wisconsin could lose many of its native grassland, wetland and savanna plant communities.

The DNR often does the burns in early spring or late winter before many wetland birds have started to nest.