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](https://i0.wp.com/larryshapiroblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150331_CCFP-3800.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
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](https://i0.wp.com/larryshapiroblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150331_CCFP-3820.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
![thick smoke and flames from a prescribed prairie burn](https://i0.wp.com/larryshapiroblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150331_CCFP-3823.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
![thick smoke and flames from a prescribed prairie burn](https://i0.wp.com/larryshapiroblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150331_CCFP-3849.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
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](https://i0.wp.com/larryshapiroblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150331_CCFP-3920.jpg?resize=400%2C600&ssl=1)
![wildland firefighter with heavy flames](https://i0.wp.com/larryshapiroblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150331_CCFP-3967.jpg?resize=400%2C600&ssl=1)
![wildland firefighter with tools](https://i0.wp.com/larryshapiroblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150331_CCFP-3894.jpg?resize=400%2C600&ssl=1)
![thick smoke and flames from a prescribed prairie burn](https://i0.wp.com/larryshapiroblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/150331_CCFP-3981.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
I have a video with highlights of the prescribed burn and more photos