Rangeland Burning

 

Fire- a natural process, but

- it's like a two-edged sword:

1) can devalue a resource or escape to unwanted locations

2) can improve quality of grazing and wildlife habitat

 

Terms: controlled burn v. prescribed burn v. wildfire

 

Some Objectives- usually more than one

1. unwanted plant control

2. forage quality

3. grazing distribution

4. excess litter

5. habitat manipulation for wildlife

 

Fire Behavior: knowledge of it is critically needed

—to produce the intended effect

—to confine it to intended area

Fire Behavior is modified by:

1) weather

    wind- (desired = 5-15 MPH steady)

    headfire

    backfire

    humidity- combustion rate, heat yield (desired = 25-40%)

2) topography

    slope direction-

    exposure-

3) fuel

    amount - aka, fuel load. Minimum = 600–1,000 lb/acre of fine fuel is necessary in grassland.

    (wildfires  will often carry with <300 lb/A)

    source -

        volatile vs. nonvolatile

        loose vs. compact

        continuous vs. patchy

 

Prescribed Burning Techniques

Prescribed Burning Procedures

1. plan the details of burn

2. prepare necessary firebreaks

3. notify proper authorities

4. get all logistical support in place

5. wait for weather that meets or exceeds prescription

6. perform the actual burn

7. mop-up until all fire is out

 

An Overview of the Effects of Burning on:

I. soil

II. vegetation

III. livestock performance

 

I. Soil -- both short- and long-term soil properties can be affected, such as:

structure

infiltration

erosion

water quality

available water (for plants)

chemical properties - pH, OM, Ca, Mg, P, N, K -no differences; if anything slightly more favorable on burned

temperature-higher on burned; Q10-effect

 

II. Vegetation - effects on vegetation are both short-term and long-term also.

 

Effects depend on:

• type
• fuels
• soils
• moisture conditions
• frequency
• timing (THE most important factor)

Interactions of above will affect:

• Productivity—generally enhanced particularly in more humid regions. Probably because of removal of litter. Timing is critical. Should coincide with the incipience of growth of major forage species. (mid-April to mid-May). At Hays (shortgrass): good response 1st year, poor 2nd.
• Composition—Proper (late-spring) burning has consistently produced a more favorable species composition than unburned.

 

Undesirable Plant Control in Kansas:

• Flowering—large increases in fertile tillering in perennial grasses.
• Forage Quality—because of increased microbial activity early in the growing season, there is increased nutrient availability, consequently increased uptake by plants. C.P., DDM, EE, NFE
 
III. Livestock Performance

Northern Prairie Fire Center (an excellent source of information on prescribed burning in the grasslands)