Controlled Burns
At Malcolmson Eco-Park, we conduct what is called a controlled burn within the Tallgrass Prairie. It offers numerous ecological benefits for prairie ecosystems. These intentional fires are strategically implemented on a yearly basis to maintain and enhance the health of the tallgrass prairie.
The key advantages are:
1. Nutrient Restoration
Controlled burns help restore nutrients to the soil by consuming old plant material and releasing nutrients back into the ground. This process enriches the soil, promoting healthier plant growth and enhancing overall ecosystem productivity.
2. Invasive Species Management
Prescribed burns effectively reduce the presence of invasive plant species that often outcompete native flora for resources.
3. Promotion of Native Plant Growth
The fires clear away accumulated dead vegetation and open up space for new growth. This is particularly beneficial for native prairie plants, which have deep root systems that can survive fire events. Following a burn, species such as big bluestem and Indian grass flourish due to increased sunlight and reduced competition from weeds.
4. Prevention of Woody Encroachment
Controlled burns prevent the encroachment of woody plants and trees into prairie habitats, which can alter the ecosystem dynamics and reduce biodiversity. By removing these woody species, burns help maintain the open grassland structure that is essential for many prairie-dwelling species.
5. Mimicking Natural Fire Regimes
Historically, natural fires caused by lightning strikes played a crucial role in maintaining prairie ecosystems. Controlled burns replicate these natural processes, ensuring that fire-dependent species continue to thrive.
7. Decreased Wildfire Risk
By removing excess dry plant matter that can fuel wildfires, prescribed burns significantly lower the risk of uncontrolled wildfires in surrounding areas. This proactive management strategy helps protect both human communities and natural resources.
FAQ’s
Can this be done at any time of the year?
Prescribed burns are typically conducted in March or early April, when conditions are just right. After winter, dead grasses and plant debris are dry enough to carry fire effectively, while the lack of new green growth allows for better removal of thatch and woody encroachment. Spring weather also tends to be safer than summer or fall, with cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and more predictable wind patterns — all of which help crews manage fire and smoke more effectively. Ecologically, spring burns give native warm-season grasses like big bluestem and switchgrass a head start, helping them outcompete early-growing cool-season invasives such as smooth brome and reed canary grass.
Won’t it harm the wildlife?
Prescribed fires move slowly, allowing most wildlife ample time to relocate to safety. These burns are essential for maintaining prairie ecosystems by preventing woody encroachment and suppressing invasive species that threaten native grasses and wildflowers — key food sources and habitat for many animals. Although some insect mortality does occur, most species recover rapidly. For instance, ground-nesting bees remain underground during early spring burns, reducing their exposure to fire. This highlights the importance of carefully timing burns to align with wildlife life cycles. In the aftermath of a fire, many species benefit from the renewed landscape — ground-nesting birds such as meadowlarks and quail, for example, thrive in the open, grassy conditions that follow.
What conditions are needed to burn safely?
Prescribed burns are carefully planned and executed under specific weather conditions to ensure safety and effectiveness. Key factors include wind speed and direction, relative humidity, and temperature. These elements directly influence how a fire will behave and how well it can be controlled. Ideal burn days typically follow several days of dry, sunny weather, allowing vegetation to dry out enough to carry fire efficiently. Once conditions are favorable, a certified burn boss coordinates with a trained crew, develops a detailed burn plan, and secures all necessary permits from local fire departments and regulatory agencies.
In advance of the burn, notifications are sent to surrounding schools, businesses, and neighborhoods. These notices advise residents to keep windows closed, stay indoors, and avoid the immediate area due to smoke and fire-related activity. Public safety is a top priority throughout the process. When conditions align, the active burning period usually lasts around four hours, though the total time on site may be longer to allow for preparation, monitoring, and spot checking procedures to ensure the fire is fully extinguished and the area is secure.
