For Release April 3, 2005

The Miracle of Fire

AGRI-VIEWS
by Chuck Otte, Geary County Extension Agent

For centuries before European settlers moved across the Great Plains, the prairie grasses would periodically catch on fire. These fires sometimes burned a few acres before running out of fuel or being doused by rains or snows. Other times the fires would rage for hundreds of miles consuming anything in their path. There was no timing to these fires, they just happened. All the plants and wildlife that could survive these periodic fires flourished. All those things that could not survive, couldn't get a foothold.

Then the European pioneers moved in and started settling these vast grasslands. Fire was viewed as an enemy. It destoryed things that man had built so it had to be bad. Fire had to be treated with great caution and not allowed outside the cook stove or fireplace. It was necessary for heat, light and cooking, but it could not be trusted! So these brave pioneers made very effort possible to make wild fires extinct.

Then something interesting started to happen. Grasslands started to develop areas of brush. Then trees started to increase and other areas, especially those near rivers and streams started to grow into stands of timber and forests. While the wood from these forested areas was much appreciated for lumber and fuel, the woody plants displaced the grass and the livestock had less to eat.

Then, as often happens, some scientist or foreward thinking rancher, "discovered" that grasslands need the fire that society had tried so hard to prevent. Grasslands that burned every couple of years produced more grass and did not start to turn into stands of timber. And after 150 years we are still trying to learn how to use fire most effectively in the grasslands.

Fire is an incredible and valuable management tool. A well timed prescribed burn in the spring of the year can take the place of hours of labor or hundreds of dollars of chemicals towards the control of invasive plants. The act of burning stimulates many grass species to maintain or improve production and oft times to actually increase in density. By burning at different times in the late winter or spring, we can change the complex plant interactions, favoring different grass or forbs. It all depends on what you want in your pasture.

But while fire is a valuable tool, it is one that must be managed very carefully. Annual burning of all pastures is not required. A late season burn every three or four years will adequately control most invasive woody plants. By leaving some pastures unburned you also provide required habitat for many wildlife species.

As a land owner/manager, you need to determine what the needs are in your pasture. Then you need to evaluate each pasture to determine need for burning and suitability for burning. You have to follow that up with proper planning and notification of neighbors and neighboring land owners, as well as with the local law enforcement. Following all these guidelines will help us maintain the ability to use fire as a management tool.

As members of the general public we also need to be aware of the value of this tool for not only keeping pastures productive but for reducing wild fire hazards, a lesson forest managers are learning also. Be aware that at this time of year there will be a lot of pasture burning. If you come upon smoke blowing across the road, slow down, pull over and wait until you can make sure it's safe to proceed. Fire; it's been around a long time and our tall grass prairies still need it!

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