Time to Burn

The ideal time to burn a prairie or restored prairie is between now and April 1.  I helped the the burn pictured below. Conditions were drier than I expected and the fire burned hot for the most part. I have shared safety rules in the past. a good burn boss and burn crew are important.

Prairie Burn

Today was a burn day at Bremer Sanctuary in Hillsboro.  A group of volunteers burned the bigger prairies at Bremer today.  Fire is used a management tool to maintain restored and native prairies. 

Time to Burn

Many farms and ranches have a need or desire to manage grasslands or timberlands with fire.  The advantages of fire management are that fire can help suppress undesirable species and stimulate desirable species.  Controlled fires and also prevent uncontrolled fires by removing fuel from an area.  The problem with burning is safety.  This blog is not meant as a comprehensive burn class, but just a reminder of things to think about before you  light the match.

The best time to burn is when conditions are good to have a fire.  Dry weather and proper wind conditions are essential.  Some wind can be useful especially when burning timber. The fire needs air. Prairie fires tend to create their own wind so wind may not be essential to burn filter strips or prairies with native vegetation.  Humidity also should be neither too high or too low.  Low humidity increases the chance of a wildfire.

• Schedule your burn when the weather forecast is favorable
• Tell your neighbors that you are burning
• Tell the fire department you are burning
• Have plenty of help.
• Equipment need not be elaborate but have appropriate equipment.  Things I have found to be useful are:  A 4-wheeler, a small sprayer filled with water, a backpack sprayer, a leaf blower, flappers, a drip torch, and shovels.  
• It may be useful to have some tillage equipment to confine the fire
• Make sure firebreaks have been mowed and  cleaned off
• Make sure everyone has appropriate clothing.  Natural fibers are best.  
• Have a plan.  
• Review your plan with your help.  Make sure everyone knows what is expected
• Discuss escape routes
• Have a phone to call the fire department if something goes wrong
• Have drinking water for workers
• Have a post burn review.  Your helpers may have seen something that you did not
• In order to minimize impacts to wildlife you may want to burn half or less of your management area in a given year.  
• Burn before April 1 in Mid-Illinois to avoid impacting nesting birds.  
• Get some training or do a lot of reading before you manage a burn.  

This list is not meant to be comprehensive.  It is just a reminder to be careful out there. 

Fall Fire Season

It seems that harvest fires have begun to be a problem again this year.  We had a number of them in 2007 as well.  My brother's combine burned yesterday.  It was a total loss.  The accident was probably not preventable because it appeared to be started by a burst hydraulic hose.  Some of these fires can be prevented by keeping machinery clean and in good repair.  Prompt response can be essential as well.  Having tillage equipment available to make firebreaks can be useful.  Also, don't leave trash fires unattended.  A field fire was started in 2007 by someone burning trash. 

Field Fire

I spotted this field fire on Wednesday.  It was contained by tillage.  You can see one of the tractors on the right. 

Rainy Days

We have had 1.3 inches of rain in the past 2 days. Hoping the soil will probe better now.  I am also hoping there is enough moisture to cut down on combine and field fires like the one below.