The annual grass fire season is underway across the Flint Hills, including the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
Rangeland burns on the preserve need ideal weather conditions, including wind speed, wind direction and relative humidity, so they often happen on short notice. The historic buildings and visitor center will remain open during normal operating hours, but some trails and areas may be closed — again on short notice. In fact, all trails east of Kansas Highway 177 will be closed until further notice effective immediately as the burning gets underway.
Prescribed fire is used to maintain the health and cultural landscape, according to the preserve. It’s also used to remove woody or non-native plants, thus promoting native plants and animal diversity.
The prescribed fire season is done as a partnership between The Nature Conservancy, the National Park Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. For information or updates, call the office at 620-273-8494, go online to www.nps.gov/tapr or find the Tallgrass Preserve on Facebook.
