Prairie burns

[Gellar]

It’s controlled burn season. We do these for forest and prairie when the conditions are right. They are tons of fun and they get all of our staff out of the office working together for wildlife. Anyone else do controlled burns? Post your pictures here!

 

[Straight Arrow]

Too busy for photos, as typically have hands full trying to control fast spreading fire. I usually burn barrow pits and river bottom dry grasses. The local fire chief says his fire fighters like it when I burn ... because it evolves into a fire suppression training day for them!

 

[mtmuley]

Around where I live it's called sport burning season. You can probably figure out why. mtmuley

 

[Gellar]

I’ve never had one get away luckily.

 

[Gellar]

Around where I live it's called sport burning season. You can probably figure out why. mtmuley

A lot of people here burn on days when I’d never dream of it. Not that that it makes it any safer, but I’m certified to do burns. Preparation is key. We keep good fire breaks and have lots of water on hand. File a burn plan and check the weather frequently for good burn windows.

 

[Jbotto]

I used to work for an outfit that did them for about4-6 weeks in the spring. Best part of the job is working with a good crew on burns.

 

[jdf]

I am a Burn Boss for the Wildlife Agency I work for... got few in so far this spring..

 

[longbow51]

When I was growing up, we burned our garden (~ football field) every spring. Fed us through the winter, with the ducks, rabbits, squirrels, and geese I shot. Funny how hunger (and a Steven's single shot) honed your aim.

 

[Bc1992]

I’m a bit of a pyro

 

[Hunting Wife]

Had to quit for medical reasons, but it used to be kind of fun. I do not miss the headaches I’d have after sucking smoke all day however.

 

[TheTone]

Around where I live it's called sport burning season. You can probably figure out why. mtmuley

I burned so many ditches and hillsides with my grandpa, dad and uncles as a kid all in the name of weed control, to prevent future uncontrolled fires and brush clearing. In reality I think we actually did it for fun. It probably explains my need to constantly mess with campfires

 

[ccc23454]

Spring controlled burn in wyoming

 

[Wild Bill]

If you’re on the gram, @NativeHabitatProject is a fun follow. The guy, Kyle is down in Alabama, I believe. Posts a lot about burning and restoring prairies. Lots of pollinator and native plant ID and knowledge.

 

[BrentD]

We burn our front prairie annually, and I used to burn lots of other prairies, mostly a University owned remnant. I think it is way too early for burning, personally. Let those warm season grasses warm up and the woodies invest some resources above ground before singeing them.

I would really like to burn our timber however. Never done a good job of that.

Can't find a single picture after close to 50 yrs of prairie burns. How can that be?

 

[Gellar]

We burn our front prairie annually, and I used to burn lots of other prairies, mostly a University owned remnant. I think it is way too early for burning, personally. Let those warm season grasses warm up and the woodies invest some resources above ground before singeing them.

I would really like to burn our timber however. Never done a good job of that.

Can't find a single picture after close to 50 yrs of prairie burns. How can that be?

Everything that we have been taught says to stagger your burns. Don’t burn them at the same time each year or whatever your burn cycle is for the most diversity. Even throw in some fall burns too.

Timber burns are difficult. Fall is when we do best and a little bit more wind than you’d like for a good prairie burn helps to get that fire moving.

 

[BrentD]

Everything that we have been taught says to stagger your burns. Don’t burn them at the same time each year or whatever your burn cycle is for the most diversity. Even throw in some fall burns too.

Timber burns are difficult. Fall is when we do best and a little bit more wind than you’d like for a good prairie burn helps to get that fire moving.

I'd agree, but realistically, prairies burned almost always in the late summer. I've never been able to do one of those, but I would certainly like to. Very little flame from what I've seen.

I strongly dislike fall burns because they are hell on the small critters. I like to leave something above ground for the winter cover.

 

[Gellar]

I'd agree, but realistically, prairies burned almost always in the late summer. I've never been able to do one of those, but I would certainly like to. Very little flame from what I've seen.

I strongly dislike fall burns because they are hell on the small critters. I like to leave something above ground for the winter cover.

All important things to think about!

 

[Wild Bill]

but realistically, prairies burned almost always in the late summer.

Also, under the right conditions prairies can burn quite often in the winter. When we have really dry summers that bleed over into a snowless winter we get a good amount of winter burns. An extended drought can lead to a handful of years those winter burns.

 

[Gellar]

Also, under the right conditions prairies can burn quite often in the winter. When we have really dry summers that bleed over into a snowless winter we get a good amount of winter burns. An extended drought can lead to a handful of years those winter burns.

We don’t get to do many winter burns, but i have burnt wetlands in the winter when they were solid to get equipment on but no snow.

I think Brent is referring to historically burns were late summer because they were caused by lightning strikes on the prairie.

 

[Wild Bill]

Yea, I was just tacking that on. Just something folks overlook at times if they’ve never done winter burns or seen them in person.