![National Park Service Logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/templates/images/graphics/parkblackband.gif) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/templates/images/graphics/blkshim.gif) |
![National Park Service: U.S. Department of the Interior](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/templates/images/graphics/prntarrw.gif) ![National Park Service Arrowhead](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/templates/images/graphics/prnttitl.gif) |
|
|
|
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Fire Management
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/templates/images/graphics/spacer.gif) |
![undefined undefined](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/indu/parkmgmt/images/crew-2008-(3).jpg) |
Crew's Vision Statement-Indiana Dunes Fire Management will conduct operations with intensity, dedication, integrity, and strong ethical, mental and physical standards. |
![](images/spacer.gif) |
The goals of the fire management program at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore are to manage wildland fire to protect the public and communities, conserve natural and cultural resources, and restore and maintain ecological health.
The Fire Management program in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses a wide variety of disciplines. The Lakeshore Fire Management staff includes firefighters, fire monitors, program assistants, fire effects specialists, fire prevention and education specialists, and a fire management officer who oversees the entire program. They perform a full range of wildland fire management operations and services, including fire prevention and education, suppression, prescribed fire, hazard fuels management, monitoring, and research.
The staff is also responsible for overseeing the fire management operations at other parks in the Midwest. These park units include Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, and Cuyahoga National Park.
The plans and actions of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Fire Management staff are guided by the Fire Management Plan.(970kb pdf)
|
![Backing surface fire in a oak savanna Backing surface fire in a oak savanna](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/indu/parkmgmt/images/DSCN1073.jpg) |
Miller Woods Prescribed Fire |
![](images/spacer.gif) |
Prescribed Fire Prescribed fire is used to ignite low intensity fires when weather conditions are right. The goal of prescribed fire is to reduce hazardous fuel build-up, while safely reintroducing fire to the ecosystem to meet specific resource management objectives.
|
|
![Wildfire burning in a marsh Wildfire burning in a marsh](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/indu/parkmgmt/images/inland-marsh-15.jpg) |
Inland Marsh Wildfire |
![](images/spacer.gif) |
Suppression
All unplanned fires at the national lakeshore will be put out as quickly as possible. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore fire staff work closely with interagency partners like Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Porter and Lake Counties and the City of Gary fire departments.
|
![A grass covered road that has been cut to help prevent wildfires crossing it A grass covered road that has been cut to help prevent wildfires crossing it](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/indu/parkmgmt/images/7.jpg) |
Miller Woods Harbor Belt Fuel Break |
![](images/spacer.gif) |
Mechanical Treatments
A variety of tools and equipment are used to reduce forest fuels in the park. They include the use of chain saws, weed eaters, hand crews, and chippers to maintain defensible space around buildings, create and maintain shaded fuel breaks, and to clear along roadways. Small trees and brush are cut, piled and burned during appropriate times.
|
![Kid wearing wildland fire clothing Kid wearing wildland fire clothing](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/indu/parkmgmt/images/Jr_wildland_firefighter.jpg) |
Jr Wildland Firefighter |
![](images/spacer.gif) |
Fire Education and Prevention
Fire staff work to educate park visitors, employees, agency partners and neighbors about wildland fire, prescribed fire and fire management policy at Indiana Dunes.
Children can learn about wildland fire in our National Parks by attending the Junior Wildland Firefighter program. This is a hands on program where kids can learn all about wildland fire management.
|
| |
|
|
![Small wildland fire engine Small wildland fire engine](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/INDU_E-302-006.jpg) Fire Suppression Learn about fire suppression at Indiana Dunes more... | | ![firefighters patrolling a prescribed burn firefighters patrolling a prescribed burn](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/INDU_13tmc5dy_13.jpg) Prescribed Fire Learn about prescribed fire and fire ecology at Indiana Dunes more... | | ![Smokey Bear with a child Smokey Bear with a child](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/INDU_DSC_0033.jpg) Fire Prevention and Education Wildland fire education at the Lakeshore is more... | | ![Firefighter Firefighter](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/INDU_fl7uupx5_100_0580.jpg) Fire Managers Toolbox Useful resources for fire managers in the field more... | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
![two horses pulling a machine use to rake hay with a farmer riding on the rake two horses pulling a machine use to rake hay with a farmer riding on the rake](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081101020714im_/http://www.nps.gov/mwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/INDU_dyk_hayrake.jpg) |
|
Did You Know?
In 1972, Chellberg Farm became part of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. In the mid-1800s many Swedes settled in Porter County. Three generations of Chellbergs farmed this land.
|
|
|
|
Last Updated: September 19, 2008 at 17:36 EST |