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Photo by John Howle |
Burning: A growing concern
When my cousin and I were 13, we decided to conduct a prescribed burn, even though no one had prescribed it. We struck a match to our grandfather's dry Bermuda grass pasture that January, but we experienced shock and awe at the speed the flames traveled. We beat the fire out with pine branches before our grandfather could beat us.
After scorching two acres of pastureland, we learned that fire is an effective tool for generating growth because the following spring, the burned area grew the best stand of grass. Prescribed burning is a powerful tool for stimulating forage growth and clearing understory fuel, but use extreme caution when using fire as a management tool.
Here are some tips from NWTF biologists to steer you down the right path — and clear of trouble.
Planning
Dennis Daniel, NWTF director of conservation operations and regional biologist for Arkansas and Tennessee, encourages landowners to contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service and enroll their property before prescribed burning.
"The NRCS can help the landowner meet objectives for managing the land, and there could be other benefits such as sharing the costs of preparing the control lines and executing the burn," said Daniel.
On the first burn, Daniel says it's best to look at fuel reduction and perform the burn in the dormant season during December or January for both pine and hardwood forests. Burning in the beginning of growing season will control woody seedlings and sprouts and promote grass and forb production.
NWTF Regional Biologist Luke Lewis says to notify your state forestry commission by calling in your name, contact information, and the burn location by using property coordinates for your burn. You can find coordinates on a map or aerial photo. Tell your forester whether you are burning for wildlife habitat or forest floor fuel reduction.
"I would recommend — at least for the first one to two burns — that a landowner hire a professional agency or private consultant to perform the burn. The landowner can participate with them to gain some experience and knowledge," Lewis said.
Next, consider the fuel load and ground conditions. The key is to allow for a steady, controlled burn and guard against a wildfire.
"You should compartmentalize your land into small burn units of 10 to 20 acres," said Lewis. "Burning for wildlife is effective when done in a mosaic strategy."
Sides and tops of hills will generally burn faster than lower elevations around creeks. Make sure there will be plenty of qualified personnel, equipment and communication devices on hand, and plan to stay with the fire until it burns out.
Site preparation
A burn site should be mature enough to handle a prescribed burn.
"Wait at least one growing season and probably two needle casts for pine stands after a harvest operation before considering a burn," said Gary Peters, NWTF regional biologist for the Carolinas. "You need fuel on the ground to carry a fire effectively through a stand."
All fire lines should be in place and wide enough to contain a controlled burn.
"At a minimum, you should have at least a dozer blade width, but two blades or 10 to 20 feet would be best," Peters said. "Remove dead snags that could fall across the fire line."
If your burn site has a thick understory, thin the timber on that compartment of land, or burn when weather conditions are damp to create a cooler fire that can be backed across the landscape.
Safety during and after the burn
Even though you may have clearance to burn on a given day, a landowner is still liable for the fire.
"If your fire gets onto a neighbor's land or smoke causes an inversion into a town, road or residence, the landowner is liable for the harm caused," said Lewis
Visit your neighbors a few days before the fire date to let them know when you are burning, especially if they are downwind of the site. A head's up gives people who suffer from asthma or allergies a chance to avoid the area and prepares county officials for incoming calls from residents who see smoke.
Stay with your fire until it is under control, even if that means tending it the next day.
"Don't be afraid to use it, but use it wisely," said Daniel. "Develop a burn plan and stick to it." — John Howle