Areas about seven weeks after a summer burn are shown along with the same areas the following year. Also shown are areas that did not receive a summer burn for comparison.
At the end of this post are other posts on this blog about Illinois Beach State Park.
Summary
Image Captions
1. Carolina Puccoon (Lithospermum caroliniense) in unburned area within Dune Trail Loop 6/8/2024
Summer Burn/Unburned Comparisons
2. Left half unburned; right half burned 10/21/2023
3. Left half unburned; right half burned 6/8/2024
4. Oak grubs sprouting after fire 10/21/2023
5. Oak grubs sprouting after fire 6/8/2024
6. Deer browsed new growth on willow. 10/21/2023
7. The fire killing this willow to the ground followed by deer browse substantially set back this willow the following growing season. 6/8/2024
8. Fire pruned oaks. 10/21/2023
9. Fire pruned oaks 6/8/2024
10. Prairie Redroot 10/21/2023
11. Prairie Redroot 6/8/2024
12. Low area between ridges burned in summer. 10/21/2023
13. Low area between ridges burned in summer. 6/8/2024
14. Low area between ridges looking the other direction that did not receive a summer burn. 10/21/2023
15. Low area between ridges looking the other direction that did not receive a summer burn. 6/8/2024
16. Chokecherries killed back to the ground. 10/21/2023
17. Chokecherries killed back to the ground. 6/8/2024
18. Closer view of above sprouting chokecherries. 6/8/2024
19. Savanna area with shrubs killed back to the ground. 10/21/2023
20. Savanna area with shrubs killed back to the ground. 6/8/2024
21. The other direction from the above savanna area toward where summer burning did not occur. 10/21/2023
22. The other direction from the above savanna area toward where summer burning did not occur. 6/8/2024
23. Helleborine Orchid (Epipactis helleborine) – A non-native species
24. Sparse area where vegetation is diverse after a summer burn. 10/21/2023
25. Similar area to the above location. With no landmarks I could not find the exact spot. 6/8/2024
26. Savanna along Dead River after a summer burn. 10/21/2023
27. Savanna along Dead River after a summer burn. 6/8/2024
28. Savanna along Dead River looking opposite direction where summer fire did not occur. 10/21/2023
29. Savanna along Dead River looking opposite direction where summer fire did not occur. 6/8/2024
Images Walking Back to Parking Lot
30. Dead River 10/21/2023
31. Dead River 6/8/2024
32. Deer were out because the visitors where all staying away due to the rain. 6/8/2024
33. Yellow Indian Paintbrush 6/8/2024
34. Yellow Indian Paintbrush Landscape View 6/8/2024
Discussion
Other Posts on Illinois Beach State Park
Images
1. Carolina puccoon (Lithospermum caroliniense) in unburned area within Dune Trail Loop 6/8/2024
Summer Burn/Unburned Comparisons
2. Left half unburned; right half burned 10/21/2023
3. Left half unburned; right half burned 6/8/2024
4. Oak grubs sprouting after fire 10/21/2023
5. Oak grubs sprouting after fire 6/8/2024
6. Deer browsed the new growth on willow. 10/21/2023
7. The fire killing this willow to the ground followed by deer browse substantially set back this willow the following growing season. 6/8/2024
8. Fire pruned oaks. 10/21/2023
9. Fire pruned oaks. 6/8/2024
10. Prairie redroot (Ceanothus herbaceus) 10/21/2023
11. Prairie redroot (Ceanothus herbaceus) 6/8/2024
12. Low area between ridges burned in summer. 10/21/2023
13. Low area between ridges burned in summer. 6/8/2024
14. Low area between ridges looking the other direction that did not receive a summer burn. 10/21/2023
15. Low area between ridges looking the other direction that did not receive a summer burn. 6/8/2024
16. Chokecherries killed back to the ground. 10/21/2023
17. Chokecherries killed back to the ground. 6/8/2024
18. Closer view of above sprouting chokecherries. 6/8/2024
19. Savanna area with shrubs killed back to the ground. 10/21/2023
20. Savanna area with shrubs killed back to the ground. 6/8/2024
21. The other direction from the above savanna area toward where summer burning did not occur. 10/21/2023
22. The other direction from the above savanna area toward where summer burning did not occur. 6/8/2024
23. Helleborine Orchid (Epipactis helleborine) – A non-native species
24. Sparse area where vegetation is diverse after a summer burn. 10/21/2023
25. Similar area to the above location. With no landmarks I could not find the exact spot. 6/8/2024
26. Savanna along Dead River after a summer burn. 10/21/2023
27. Savanna along Dead River after a summer burn. 6/8/2024
28. Savanna along Dead River looking opposite direction where summer fire did not occur. 10/21/2023
29. Savanna along Dead River looking opposite direction where summer fire did not occur. 6/8/2024
Images Walking Back to Parking Lot
30. Dead River 10/21/2023
31. Dead River 6/8/2024
32. Deer were out because the visitors were all staying away due to the rain. 6/8/2024
33. Yellow Indian Paintbrush 6/8/2024
34. Yellow Indian Paintbrush Landscape View 6/8/2024
Discussion
When I first read that an area of Illinois Beach State Park received a prescribed burn in summer the news “terrified” me. However, I decided I should wait and see how the vegetation responded. Looking at the images, the native wildflowers in the adjacent areas that were not burned in summer appear to also be growing fine the following year in areas burned in summer. The willows had been set back significantly since they were killed back to the ground then browsed by deer. This is a plus in a prairie and savanna ecosystem. The chokecherries did not appear as impacted since the deer did not browse the regrowth.
I am sure this area has received fire before. Therefore, the vegetation should be well adapted to fire. This appears to be the case even when the burning was done in summer.
To be sure vegetation was recovering from a fire, before a burn occurs an area would have to be surveyed then compared after a burn occurred. Since the location where burns are planned is not disclosed to the public beforehand, I am unable to do this comparison.
Stewardship Chronicles 
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