Prescribed Burning

On February 10^th, WHF planned and assisted on a prescribed burn in Washington County. The burn was facilitated and conducted by Curtis Ag and Wildlife. The burn comprised approximately 10 acres of native grass fields. Weather cooperated perfectly and adequate fuel loads were available to ensure a quick and effective burn.

Native pastures should be burned in 3–5-year regimens, weather and fuel dependent, to help maintain biodiversity of the native plant community. Burns help reduce vegetative litter, invasive species, and sequesters potential woody encroachment, while stimulating new growth of grasses and forbs. Prescribed burning benefits native wildlife species such as quail and turkey by increasing forage production, insect diversity, and enhancing heterogeneity of plant structure. Many other species are attracted to burned sites because of the new forb growth such as deer, small mammals, and songbirds. Fires play an integral role in maintaining native ecosystem balance and should be utilized as management tool for sound land management.

Prior to conducting prescribed burns, ensure proper safety and control measures are taken by selecting good weather days, creating fire breaks, having water tanks for maintaining fire lines, making courtesy calls to neighbors, and notifying the proper local authorities