Session 2 comprative Objectives of Burning/Timing

Session 2 Comparative Objectives of Burning/Timing

Resources

Tallgrass Restoration by Mutel, Packard

www.TNC.org under science stewardship, search exotic species

Journal of Range Management

Proceedings of N. American Prairie Conference

Restoration Management Notes now called Ecological Restoration

MO Conservation Commission - Burn pamphlet

IA Prairie Blazing Star - fire management issue: contact Daryl Smith

Konza Prairie KS

Why spring burns?? traditional

competition for time

weather conditions for crew in summer stressful

safety dry conditions in fall

Spring burning originated because it was dry enough

and objectives were to 1) control KY bluegrass

2) prevent /decrease impact on nesting birds

Observations from reviewing transects of Sheeder Prairie begun 20 yrs ago which had periodic spring burns for the intervening 20 yrs:

tallgrass species and sunflowers were favored

spring forbs such as pasque flowers decreasd

Paul Christensen found at Hayden Prairie that tallgrass species favored by spring burns

Summer burn as compared to spring burn

not as intense

much slower burn

very smoky

need good firebreaks due to more stressful conditions for crew

Summer burns

Late summer impacts woody, but increases spurges

Leafy spurge increased by summer burn

Fall Burns ( increase forbs)

changes firebreaks from spring burns: can’t let burn go into woods as in spring when woods with moist leaves and leaf canopy function as firebreak

??control garlic mustard in woods

Fall burns remove wildlife cover: need educational format to accompany fall burns for public relations prior to extensive fall burn

Wildlife use of burn sites-migratory birds use burned areas

deer move back in after burn

Winter burns-avoid detrimental impact on spring sensitives

General observations

Diversify management techniques

Any technique has positive & negative effects therefore spread various techniques over management area

Pauline Drobney has found brome most impacted by burns at the 2 leaf stage.

Determine burn timing by community not by calendar

John Pearson: increase rainfall a determining factor in increasing sweet clover more than timing of burns

Some believe early spring burn increases sweet clover; recommend greatest impact from burns when plants 1’-1 1/2’ tall ie late spring using a backfire.

Maximum effects of burns not being achieved because we can’t burn at optimal burn times ie dry, windy

Consider moisture regime prior and post burn

Monitor burn

Photo record

Effects after 1st burn are too short sighted -monitor long term

Develop objectives in terms of entire natural community not just individual species

Burn objectives changed from complete: ie solid black to skipped areas

Backfire more complete, slower, hotter in the ground

Historical review-burning peaks recorded in spring and fall

small number of references to naturally occurring in summer

probably not many in winter occurring naturally

Control of crown vetch, bird’s foot trefoil, canada thistle

burn

early emergence allows easy ID

spray with Transline(Loren Lown) Stinger

Suggestion: try summer, fall burns as practical outcome of this meeting

State Fire Marshall: Roy Marshall

621 East Second St.

Des Moines, IA 50309

515-281-5821 marshall@dps.state.ia.us

Need exceptions to burn bans for woodlands and wetlands

Provision in code to address this: permit for controlled, supervised burn issued by any fire chief (some fire chiefs not aware of/or sympathetic to this provision)

Various fire chiefs groups: Iowa Firemen’s Assoc. etc forum for cross education about controlling fires for prairie , woodland etc, management. Possible for representation on these groups.