Between March 31 and April 9, 2025, Lakeshore State Park conducted a prescribed burn during a window of favorable weather. Though only 9.5 of the park’s 22 acres were burned—specifically the prairie areas—the entire park was closed for safety.

Prescribed, or controlled, burns are a key land management tool, relying on experienced crews and the cooperation of weather. This burn was no different. Crew members carefully managed flames, used sprayers to protect park features like birdhouses and lighting, and coordinated across multiple areas at once. At one point, a towering plume of smoke was visible across Milwaukee’s lakefront—one observer reported seeing it from St. John’s on the Lake.

The goal of the burn is to mimic the natural role fire once played in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Fires clear dead vegetation, encourage native plant growth, reduce invasive species, and stimulate root systems that help store carbon and minimize runoff. “These burns enhance prairie habitat for birds and insects while improving native prairie success,” said Park Manager Elaine Zautke. Additional native plantings will follow this summer.

Wildlife typically escapes the slow-moving fire, though DNR staff reported spotting a variety of waterfowl in the lagoon that day—including a loon, buffleheads, mergansers, and scaup. Not everything went exactly as planned: a brief wind shift sent smoke over I-794 and Lincoln Memorial Drive. Fortunately, conditions shifted again, and the burn continued safely. Come summer, the benefits of the burn should be visible in a blooming prairie full of wildflowers, birds, and pollinators.

Thank You Sponsors!

$25,000 – Grant awarded to the DNR from NRF and Fund For Lake Michigan

$2,500 – Grant awarded to FLSP by Maihaugen Foundation

$2,500 – FFLP matching contribution

These burns enhance prairie habitat for birds and insects while improving native prairie success.

Park Manager Elaine Zautke