Prescribed Burning For Native Grasses

Fire is a cost effective tool to manipulate vegetation

Timing is Critical

• What is the growth stage of the desirable and target species.

• Winter dormant plants recover faster than drought-stressed plants.

Selective suppression or promotion of a particular plant species depends primarily upon the date of the fire in relation to the phenology of the particular

species

Usually, those species actively growing when the area is burned are much more susceptible to injury and death than dormant species or those

just initiating growth

The proper time to burn can be based on physiological stages (e.g., root reserves) or morphological stages (e.g., when buds are exposed). A

sequence of fires may be necessary to restore grasslands to proper

condition.

To control woody plant invasion

Reclamation: • Vegetation Composition Shifts

Two Primary Types of Prescribed Burns

Maintenance:

• Production Increase • Suppression of Undesirable Species

• Mulch and Rough Removal

Characteristics of a Reclamation Fire

• Hot, More Severe Fires • Usually Difficult to Control • Installed under Harsh Conditions • Risk of Damage to Desirable

Species

Characteristics of a Maintenance Fire

• Relatively Cool • More Easily Controlled • Installed Under Moderate

Conditions • Less Risk of Damage To Desired

Species

February 2011 Seabourne Creek

February 11, 2011

Feb 11, 2013

12 days post burn, 2/23/11

19 days post burn 3/2/11

Feb 2013

Species Diversity

Burning under the right conditions is important first for safety then to accomplish your

objectives

Factors That Determine a Fire’s Intensity

• Fuel quantity and continuity • Air temperature • Relative humidity • Wind speed • Soil moisture • Direction of flame front movement relative to

the wind

Native Pasture

• Burned in fall to early winter • Controls woody growth and

removes summer grasses • Allows winter forbs and grasses

to make an early start

Upland Woods

Burned December Through January Helps Restore

Browse Back Within Reach of Deer and Increases

Palatability

Upland Woods

Repeated Every 3 to 5 Years Will Prevent Brush From

Becoming Too Dense With Low Quality Vegetation

Some Terminology

• Mineral line • Black line • Fire line • Head fire • Back fire • Flank fire • Strip head fire

The 40 - 60 Rule

Ignition Patterns

Ignition Patterns

HOW TO BURN

EQUIPMENT •  Weather Kit •  Drip Torch •  Radios, Walkie-talkies •  Diesel, Gas, Lighter •  Flappers, rakes, ect… •  Water sprayer (backpack, four-wheeler, truck

tank •  Non flammable clothing, Nomex suits,

goggles, gloves, boots

FLAPPER

Portable Water Sprayers

A General Maintenance Prescription

• Temp. Between 40 and 80 • Wind speed between 6 and 15 mph

and not pushing your smoke where it can cause problems

• Humidity between 20 and 60%

Restore Historic Fire Regime

•  Frequency

•  Intensity

•  Timing

•  Landscape Level – Large Tracts

Any Questions?