Controlled Burn Planned Tuesday For Lake Emily Area In Oak Forest

OAK FOREST, IL — The city will be conducting a controlled burn around Lake Emily in the Landings subdivision Tuesday.

The burn should last from about 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Village officials said the controlled burn will target the naturalized buffer area around the lake, adding that prescribed fire is an "integral part of the ecological restoration of natural areas" because native plant communities of Northern Illinois require the fire for native flora and fauna to thrive.

The burn has been approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and will be supervised by a qualified burn manager.

Officials said the event should not inconvenience residents, and they suggest closing windows to avoid the smell of smoke. Those with respiratory ailments may want to leave the area, they said.

For questions, call Pizzo & Associates Ltd., which will perform the controlled burn at 815-495-2300 and leave a message at extension 122 with your name, phone number, street address and city, and a short description of your question or concern.