Healing with Fire: Prescribed Burns in Cleveland Metroparks

During the spring and fall, Cleveland Metroparks Natural Resources Division uses a unique land management tool to help revitalize ecosystems across the park district—prescribed fire. For thousands of years, fire has been a natural part of the landscape, playing a vital role in supporting healthy, resilient ecosystems. These carefully managed, low-intensity burns help remove built-up debris, control invasive species and encourage the growth of native plants. Prescribed fires are typically conducted in fire-adapted habitats such as oak woodlands and prairie pollinator areas. Safety is always the top priority. Each burn is guided by a detailed “burn plan,” with extensive preparation and coordination among trained staff and partners to ensure every step is carried out with precision. Natural Resources Manager Eric Shaffer shares insights from a prescribed fire conducted in April 2026 at Brecksville Reservation, explaining why timing matters, how native species benefit and how Cleveland Metroparks works collaboratively to use fire as a conservation tool.