Wildland prescribed burn

I followed a huge header in the sky today which took me to a wildland prescribed burn in a nearby forest preserve. Firefighters with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County were conducting the burn for several reasons.

thick smoke from a prescribed burn
The black header directed me to the forest preserve. Larry Shapiro photo

Depending on the vegetation present, these can burn fast and hot, producing thick smoke and tall flames.

thick smoke and flames from a prescribed prairie burn
The fire traveled through the taller of the grasses that were in this area. Larry Shapiro photo
thick smoke and flames from a prescribed prairie burn
This impressive header only lasted for a few minutes until the fuel was consumed by the fire. Larry Shapiro photo
thick smoke and flames from a prescribed prairie burn
The height of the grass or other vegetation factors into how high the flames will climb. Larry Shapiro photo

The fires are started using a drip torch which allows the firefighters to safely introduce the flames in the burn area.

firefighter using a drip torch
The drip torch drops a small flame as the firefighter walks along the area to burn, Larry Shapiro photo
wildland firefighter with heavy flames
This firefighter has a backpack pump or bladder bag to douse small areas to keep the flames in check. Larry Shapiro photo
wildland firefighter with tools
One of the firefighters with a backpack pump and fire rake. Larry Shapiro photo
thick smoke and flames from a prescribed prairie burn
The flames are burning away from me as evidenced by the scorched area in the foreground where the fuel for the fire has been consumes. Larry Shapiro photo

 I have a video with highlights of the prescribed burn and more photos