Prescribed Burns: Helping Devil’s Lake Thrive

Yesterday, March 18th, a prescribed burn was carried out on Devil’s Lake State Park’s Roznos Meadow. I’ve spent years photographing prescribed burns at Devil’s Lake State Park and talking to the folks who make them happen. Watching these fires unfold is fascinating. It’s kind of like a deep exfoliation treatment for the landscape. At first, it might seem a little intense, but done right, it removes the old, encourages fresh growth, and leaves everything healthier, stronger, and ready to shine.

A lot of planning goes into these burns. Everything from wind speed and humidity to fuel conditions and terrain is taken into account. It’s not just about setting a fire and hoping for the best. Crews establish firebreaks first, often starting with a backing fire, a slow-moving burn that crawls against the wind, creating a safe buffer. Then, flanking fires help steer the burn, and finally, the head fire moves fast and hot with the wind until it reaches pre-burned areas or natural firebreaks like roads, trenches, or wetland zones. Even after the flames die down, crews often stay overnight monitoring trees and hotspots.

What About the Wildlife at Devil’s Lake?

Wildlife safety isn’t an afterthought. It’s part of every burn plan. Most animals have plenty of time to move away, and many smaller creatures simply burrow underground or take shelter under logs, where the soil stays cool as the fire moves over. If there’s any concern that wildlife might struggle to escape, burn crews designate refugia, or safe zones, which could be unburned patches, wetland areas, or natural shelters.

While I’m sure it happens occasionally, I’ve walked many burn zones in Sauk County over the years and have yet to come across the remains of an animal caught in a prescribed burn.

And if you’re wondering how that plays out in real life, take Roznos Meadow at Devil’s Lake as an example. This time of year, it’s full of wetlands and damp areas that provide ample safe zones for wildlife. Smoke moves in slowly from the backburn, giving animals time to react, and by the time the main fire reaches their area, they’ve already relocated or taken cover. (Of course, it’s never 100% safe, but crews actively consider wildlife in their planning.)

Prescribed Fires Keep Devil’s Lake State Park Healthy

Prescribed burns at Devil’s Lake aren’t reckless. They’re carefully planned, controlled, and monitored to improve the land’s health while minimizing harm. Can fires get out of hand? It’s possible, but with the level of planning, training, and oversight involved, the risk is low. When conditions change unexpectedly, burn crews have protocols in place to respond quickly and contain the situation.

Fire is a natural part of the Wisconsin landscape, and when used correctly, it helps create stronger, more resilient ecosystems. In no time, Roznos Meadow will be covered in rich new growth, and in just a couple of months, wildflowers will be everywhere.

Check out these photos from yesterday’s prescribed burn at Devil’s Lake and how it looked this morning under that awesome sunrise!