Prescribed burns to the uninitiated might sound like some strange treatment a doctor might do, but in this case the term prescribed burn refers to the “intentional, expert-led application of fire to wild lands fuels.” One of the ideal times for prescribed burns is quickly approaching with the coming of spring. Once the winter snow and ice have disappeared and the dead growth is dry on the land, it’s a perfect time to do a prescribed burn.
According to Zack Glaunert, such burns can remove thatch layers on CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) or pasture land. Landowners receive rental payments; as part of the program landowners are expected to mow or burn vegetation.
Doing a prescribed burn exposes the acreage to sunlight and returns nutrients to the soil. It knocks back invasive species, and helps to diversify plant species.
Glaunert is connected to Pheasants Forever and is an advisor to the board of the Prescribed Burn Association. As such, he serves as technical advisor. Pheasants Forever supports the Prescribed Burn Association throughout the state; it supplies burn trailers housing equipment needed to conduct a prescribed burn. Landowners can rent the trailers for a small fee of $75 a day.
In order to conduct a prescribed burn, a landowner needs to have a written burn plan. There are templates available which can help the landowner mitigate the risks. Thoroughly thinking through the plan ahead of time instead of reacting to the fire is important. “Use the fire to your advantage!” Glaunert urged.
A burn permit request needs to be sublitted from the DNR Forestry Department at least six months before the planned burn date.
Both equipment and personnel to help with the burn need to be obtained ahead of time. According to Glaunert, you think about the number of people you feel you need to help and then get two more. It’s important to have a couple pair of eyes just to watch the burned areas that you are moving away from.
It’s important to start on the downwind side of the planned burn area, let the fire back into the wind and work your way around. By doing this, black material is created which can act as a buffer zone when you get to the upwind side. Glaunert has posters to share with novices which illustrate the correct method for a burn.
It’s important to notify your neighbors and other pertinent people of your burn plans ahead of time. “Communication is a priority in keeping everyone happy,” Glaunert emphasized.
20 Years of Experience
A local landowner, who wishes not to be named, has over 20 years of experience in using prescribed burns and was happy to share some of his experience and tips. This landowner began doing the burns to “clean up the riffraff and invasive species.” He wanted to improve habitat for wildlife and retard the spread of buckthorn and other woody plants.
Local DNR Forester Valiree Green introduced him to Mike Kennedy, senior, from Mabel. Mike Kennedy who had lots of experience and knowledge became a mentor to him as he learned how to burn effectively. Valiree Green is a godsend according to the landowner.
This landowner shared that he preps year-round for his prescribed burns. He does a lot of mowing and disking before the burn. Every three years he burns the land that he has in the set-aside program. He feels that prescribed burns are the easiest way to control invasive plants without chemicals. He shared that after burning his valley a while back, he has lots of native plants popping up.
Comparing prescribed burns to painting a car, the landowner declared that prep work was the most important part of both jobs.
Burns can be conducted in the spring, late summer and fall. He noted that the window of time is shorter in the fall, but he likes to burn then in order to better get rid of invasive plant roots. The fluffy leaf litter in the fall helps with the burn. Spring burns tend to produce growth of more native grasses.
A good hot burn is essential to do a burn correctly. Without a hot burn, the root systems are not gotten rid of and the landowner would need to wait a couple years to do it correctly.
Over the years, this landowner has built a water system with a 150-foot hose which he uses to retard fires. He uses a drip line on mowed paths and backpack leaf blowers also. A front wheel assist tractor that’s 50 to 80 horsepower is an important tool to keep control of a fire.
Having people on the same page helps during a burn. The landowner always has a “watch dog” to watch for startup fires and keeps a careful eye on wind and moisture conditions. He usually has six to eight people work with him when he does his burns; the prescribed burns usually cover 20 to 40 acres. Prior to the big burn, he does smaller burns to prepare for the big burn; he also uses logging roads and ponds to provide natural buffer zones.
In Kansas and Nebraska, landowners will burn thousands of acres at a time. They spend two to three years preparing for such burns and use a large number of retired volunteers who are available to go to a burn at the drop of a hat when conditions become ideal for the burn.
Root River Prescribed Burn Association
Late last summer, the newly formed Root River Prescribed Burn Association sponsored by Pheasants Forever put on a field tour and training session for interested landowners. Over 30 people attended the session and were impressed with what they learned.
Our anonymous landowner urges you to email Zack Glaunert at zglaunert@pheasantsforever.org or call him at 1-(612)-598-3474 to learn more about prescribed burns and upcoming trainings. Zack can answer your questions and put you in contact with landowners who do prescribed burns. Get a mentor and work with them to learn how to do successful prescribed burns.
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