Overview
McMaster University relies on controlled burns to maintain its natural lands. If you are visiting campus or live nearby and happen to see plumes of smoke or flames, please do not be alarmed! It is an annual well-thought-out plan managed by professionals.
Why controlled burns?
First and foremost, controlled burns lower the risk of wildfires that could damage the surrounding properties on McMaster Land and its wildlife. Controlled burns promote native plant growth and competition, supplying habitat for local wildlife.
Like much of Ontario’s greenspaces, McMaster lands have many invasive plant species that crowd out their native counterparts. They sprout first, dominate the ground with their roots and grow faster, not letting the native plants grow and find their place. As they quickly spread, they deprive native plants of the nutrients by out-competing them. That is why it is crucial to give native plants a chance by burning out their invasive competitors. Follow this link to learn about the Ontario Invasive Species Control Plan.
McMaster University uses controlled burns to support and strengthen the native plants on its lands. These fires also reduce the number of pests that are potentially host to disease. Even though most ticks found in Hamilton are American Dog Ticks that do not transmit Lyme disease, Eastern Black-legged Ticks (which can transmit Lyme disease) can also be found. Minimizing the spread of these pests limits the potential risk of diseases to wildlife and visitors of McMaster Lands.
Top three things you should know about controlled burns at McMaster
- Most importantly, the burns are done for the sake of tallgrass prairie health, as they contribute nutrients to the soil.
- There are two types of tallgrass prairie that grow in warm and cold seasons. During the warm season, native plants spread, which is good for local ecosystems. However, during the cold season, European species of tallgrass prairie grass start to spread, threatening the local environment. That is why strategic burning in cycles is important to preserve the native grasses and adds nutrients to the soil. The controlled burns reduce those invasive species as native plants have deeper roots in comparison to foreign invasive s that are easy to get rid of.
- Burns operate on slow and low burn methods, which means that fire does not get enough heat to burn trees but simply slowly moves and burns the landscape.
Please do not attempt to burn without the guidance and supervision of experts.
If you have any further questions about the burns, contact Nature at McMaster at nature@mcmaster.ca or shoot us a direct message on Instagram at @naturemcmaster.
Controlled Burn 2018
The McMaster Department of Biology through the Dr. Susan Dudley Lab conducted a controlled burn with the assistance of Wildlife Specialists Inc. in April 2018.
The burn was located at the McMaster Forest Nature Preserve (1105 Lower Lions Club Road) within the created tallgrass prairie area. The burn was approximately 3.5 hectares (8.6 acres).
This burn was to promote tallgrass prairie health by removing excess detritus, putting nutrients back into the soil, suppressing shrub growth, and suppressing the growth of non-native cool season pasture grasses and European buckthorn.
Controlled Burns 2024
*** Controlled Burn at McMaster Forest Nature Preserve scheduled for 12:30pm Tuesday April 9th***
CONTROLLED BURNS SCHEDULED ON McMASTER UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
AND NATURE PRESERVE – SPRING 2024
For media inquiries or more information, please call 905.525.9140.ext.27988 or 26384. For questions related to this burn please email stegmanm@mcmaster.ca.
This spring, McMaster University will be conducting controlled burns at two sites it manages
to create and improve rare plant and wildlife habitat and create new research opportunities.
1. McMaster University – West Campus along Cootes Drive, 4 Cootes Drive,Hamilton, Ontario
2. McMaster Forest Nature Preserve, 1105 Lower Lions Club Road, Hamilton, Ontario
The burns will occur on a single day each based on suitable weather conditions in mid-late
March – early April. There will be no access to the McMaster Forest Nature Preserve on the
day of the burn. Access to McMaster Univerity’s West Campus will not be disrupted by the burn.
Signage and staff will be positioned at entrance points.
Timing
To minimize smoke impact and effectively control invasive species, controlled burns require
specific weather conditions and accurate forecasting before an exact date can be established. A
second notice will be posted on our website dailynews.mcmaster.ca and on social media within
48 hours once the date is confirmed. Wildfire Specialists Inc. will be partnering with McMaster
University to conduct the burn.
Grassland Management at McMaster University
This is intended to be the third operational controlled burn for the McMaster Forest Nature
Preserve and the first for McMaster University’s West Campus. The burn is an important means
of controlling invasive species and preserving rare native plant communities, including tallgrass
prairie.
Fire Safety
McMaster University’s controlled burns will take place under the supervision of prescribed burn
specialists from Wildfire Specialists Inc. This will ensure that controlled conditions exist
throughout the course of the event. The local fire department and the municipality have
acknowledged the burn plan.
Smoke
Smoke is present on site during the burn and may last for up to 48 hours after the fire has been
extinguished. For health reasons, it is recommended that asthmatics avoid prolonged exposure
to the smoke. In addition to this, the smoke may contain small amounts of poison ivy oil. If respiratory
irritation occurs, please move immediately to an area with fresh air and contact a physician.
The controlled burn is performed when weather conditions help to minimize smoke impact to
the surrounding communities.