So far, so good as the prescribed fire season continues at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
Over 2,000 acres were burned without incident late last week. Nature Conservancy Flint Hills Initiative Manager Tony Capizzo says the preserve tries to burn around 3,500 acres, or close to 30 percent of the preserve’s nearly 11,000 acres per year.
Rest periods vary, with some acres on a fixed three-year burn schedule and other acres on a shorter rotation.
Capizzo says burns offer several benefits to the preserve, including the removal of “thatch” from the ground which helps to make new growth more nutritious. It also helps seed germination and it helps to limit the growth of invasive plant species.
Officials watch for several weather conditions like temperature, wind speed and wind direction when deciding on burns. There is typically little advance warning before a burn begins. This means certain areas or trails may be closed on short notice.
The fire operation involves a partnership including the National Park Service, Nature Conservancy and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
