Prescribed Burning vs. Rural Living

by John W. Henry, Rangeland Management Specialist
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Manhattan, Kansas

As you drive around rural Kansas, it is obvious that more and more people are choosing to live in the country. Beautiful homes are springing up in places previously occupied by tall grass and herds of cattle. The views are spectacular and the surrounding prairie makes an excellent neighbor. However, maintenance of this desirable location can cause conflict with the new neighbors in the form of fire. Fire is one of the disturbances that created the beauty of the prairie and is a key factor in maintaining it as a resource to the ranchers who depend on it for a living.

Why do ranchers burn? Understanding the history of the area is essential to understanding why. Most grasslands have developed with fire being a major determining factor in plant community. Fires favor grasslands, and grasslands favor fire. It is believed that all major grasslands burned frequently. Burning, along with grazing by herbivores, shapes the prairie plant community.

Lightning was likely to be a primary cause of fires prior to European settlement. Native Americans set fires for different reasons. One was likely to attract buffalo to the lush regrowth that occurs after a burn. The presence of man on the prairie was also likely to be the cause of many accidental fires. Grass has a natural resistance to burning. In fact, the flammability of heavy dry grass stands eliminates many competitive species, such as brush and trees.

Ranchers have a need to burn the prairie for many reasons. Control of woody plants is one of the main reasons. In the eastern half of Kansas, the elimination of fire allows brush and tree species to invade the prairie. This becomes quite visible as you drive the countryside and see pastures that are predominantly grass while nearby pastures are predominantly shrubs and trees.

Another reason ranchers burn is to improve the quality of the grass. Research shows that burning at the proper time can increase the rate of gain for stocker cattle. Since the margin of profit in the livestock industry is usually quite small, ranchers need to take advantage of every management tool that will help them stay in business.

Wildlife management is another reason to burn the prairie. The native wildlife species that depend on the prairie plants benefit from fire. It is a rare situation where wild animals are actually harmed by fire. They seem to have a natural instinct for escaping fire and soon return to enjoy the lush vegetation that follows.

The burning that takes place to achieve these benefits must be done in a prescribed manner. The rancher must first be concerned with safety. The use of fire breaks, proper timing, and burning under the right weather conditions are essential to a safe burn.

The rural homeowner has a responsibility to protect his own property as well. Homeowners must first realize that they have decided to build their home in a flammable habitat. While most ranchers burn in a safe manner, accidents do happen as do wildfires from lightning and careless people.

Firebreaks should be in place around all country homes. They can be as simple as a fescue lawn to something more elaborate like a tilled strip around the property. Cedar trees are quite flammable and should be cleared out of the firebreak and away from any buildings. Mowing tall grass and keeping branches and other debris cleaned up will help protect your home.

Rural homeowners should consider working closely with their ranching neighbors by offering to help with burning the pastures nearby. Ranchers can always use the help, and you can be there to see that your property is safe. The peace of mind would certainly be worth a day of vacation time and the experience may be very enjoyable.

For more information about prescribed burning, please contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office or conservation district office located at your local county USDA Service Center.

For more information about NRCS programs, visit the Kansas NRCS Web site at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov.

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Last Modified: 09/04/2008