Elaine Zautke, Lakeshore State Park Manager
Elaine.Zautke@wisconsin.gov or 414-74-4281
DNR To Conduct Prescribed Burn Operations At Lakeshore State Park
Burn Window Of Nov. 1 Through Dec. 15
Prescribed burns can help stimulate prairie grass growth and improve habitat.
Photo credit: Eddee Daniels
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is conducting prescribed burning operations at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County with an anticipated burn window of Sunday, Nov. 1 – Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2026.
The burn will require a property closure of Lakeshore State Park for a single day within this range and may be adjusted based on weather conditions. The exact date will be posted on the DNR’s Lakeshore State Park webpage and the Friends of Lakeshore State Park’s social media pages.
Prescribed burns support healthy ecosystems for an abundance of plants and animals in Wisconsin. Historically, periodic fire (either lightning or human-caused) would remove dead vegetation while stimulating native plant growth.
Following the burn, hazardous fuels are reduced, and foraging and nesting improve in the revitalized vegetation: the stimulated growth of their root systems enhances their ability to store more carbon. Other benefits of prescribed burns include reducing non-native or invasive plant species.
"Conducting a prescribed burn will enhance the prairie habitat treasured by a number of bird and insect species, along with reducing runoff with improved native prairie success," said Elaine Zautke, Lakeshore State Park manager. "Following the burn, additional native seeding and plant installations will occur this summer, thanks to collaborative funding efforts."
When conducting prescribed burns near roads or recreational trails, the DNR will post signs to notify the public. To ensure public safety, the DNR asks all members of the public to avoid these areas while the burn is being conducted. The DNR also notifies local law enforcement and fire officials in advance about when and where DNR prescribed burns will take place.
More information about DNR prescribed fire operations is available on the DNR's Prescribed Fire webpage. To view historic burns and track the status of current and planned (24 hours in advance) burns on DNR lands, visit the DNR's Prescribed Burn Dashboard.