The Village of Lombard’s Public Works Department, in conjunction with Bedrock Earthscapes, LLC of Wheaton, will be performing controlled (prescribed) burns this Spring, on Tuesday March 30th (depending on weather conditions), to help promote healthy native vegetation at the following locations:

• Terrace View Pond, located just east of Park View Elementary School, north of Greenfield Avenue and south of Crystal Avenue.
• Morris Pond, located in the area bounded by Edward Street on the north, Ann Street on the South, South Elizabeth on the west and Main Street on the east.
• Echo Pond, located at the southeast corner of Wilson Avenue and Main Street across the street from Glenbard—East High School
• Grace/Central Pond, located in the northeast corner of the intersection of Grace Street and Central Avenue.
• The Surges Center Public Works Complex, located in the Garfield Street cul-de-sac, north of North Avenue (Route 64).
• Village Complex, the pond located between Village Hall and Public Works Facility and the area around the Public Works parking lot.

See Interactive Controlled Burn Map

When will the controlled burn happen?
(Updated 3/29) The prescribed/controlled burns are scheduled for Tuesday, March 30th. Controlled burns are very weather and site condition dependent. A notification was shared on March 29th on the Village’s website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. Additionally, an email notification was sent out to residents who have signed up to receive notifications related to controlled burns. 

Notice will also be given to School District 44, Glenbard East High School, the Lombard Park District and the Fire and Police Departments. Personnel performing the prescribed burn will be equipped with fire-fighting tools and safety equipment.

I have health related problems and could be affected by smoke. How can I get notified exactly when the burns will occur?
It is highly suggested that you sign-up for “Notify Me” to receive e-mails notices and updates. To enroll for “Notify Me” go to villageoflombard.org/notifyme and select controlled burns. You can also sign up for as many or as few project/event announcements as you wish.

If you do not have electronic means or prefer a notice by telephone, please call 630-620-5740 and leave your name and a daytime phone number that you check daily.

About Controlled Burns

What:  A “controlled burn” or “prescribed burn,” is a planned fire that is used as a conservation method to help restore prairie vegetation.  Parameters of the burn consider the safety of the general public, weather, and the likelihood of meeting the objectives of the burn.

Why:   Prescribed fire is one tool in native area management.  It is used to control weeds, recycle nutrients and to encourage stronger native plant growth

Where: The Village of Lombard’s Public Works Department will be conducting controlled burns at Terrace View Pond (located east of Park View School), Morris Pond, Surges Center (cul-de-sac at the end of North Garfield Street) and within the Village Complex (by Public Works and by the perimeter of the retention pond between Village Hall and Public Works.

When: Spring and fall are the two primary seasons for burning. The spring burn season typically runs from early March through mid-April.  Burns conducted in the Fall are typically performed shortly following the first killing frost from approximately late October to the first snowfall in early December.  Appropriate conditions must be present for a controlled burn.  These include atmospheric conditions such as temperature, humidity, chance of precipitation and wind speed and direction.  All these factor make it difficult to schedule a burn to no more than one day in advance.  

How  Wind and smoke management are important considerations in any prescribed burn.  An attempt is made by the burn contractor to minimize smoke drift whenever possible.  Prairie fires usually burn very quickly and any smoke usually dissipates quickly. The fire is contained around the perimeters of the prescribed burn areas by prior mowing, use of wet lines (spraying the vegetation along the edge with water) or back-burning.  

Who: Burns are carried out by a trained and equipped prescribed burn contractor.  Burn permits are secured through the Illinois EPA upon review of a written burn plan specific to each site.  A copy of the plan is filed with the local fire department, and the local fire department is notified prior to and upon completion of the prescribed burn on the day of the burn.