PART V: Grassland Management

PRESCRIBED BURNING

rescribed wildlife habitat. To achieve the burning is a above benefits, fire must be used •Kill woody plants Pvery impor- under very specific conditions, •Remove grass and wildflower tant manage- using very specific techniques. dead vegetative build-up ment tool for maintaining and (duff) enhancing grasslands. Fire was an Brushlands can be invigorated •Promote regrowth of warm important natural part in the devel- and maintained with fire to benefit season plants opment and maintenance of grass- species such as bluebirds and •Promote regrowth of cool lands, forests, and wetlands, sharp-tailed grouse. Burning old season plants throughout history. To many of us, fields controls saplings and woody •Reduce or set back noxious fire is a feared enemy that destroys vegetation, and improves grass- weeds everything in its path. Because of lands for use by nesting wildlife and •Increase populations of wild this, the use of controlled fires, grazing livestock. Forest openings flowers such as prescribed burning, is can be manipulated with burns to •Reduce cattail mono-cultures underutilized as a management benefit more than 150 wildlife •Reduce wildfire fuel build-up tool for improving and maintaining species. Upland nesting cover used •Promote growth of fire habitats. by pheasants, waterfowl, and song- dependent trees such as Jack birds will remain productive if peri- pine For thousands of years, tall odically burned. Cattails and •Increase populations of grass prairies and open brushlands sedges are returned to vigor by an threatened and endangered were kept free of trees by the occa- occasional burn. Lastly, if you want species. sional wildfires that cleared the more oaks in a hardwood stand, a landscape every two to 50 years. fire will kill off less tolerant species Burn objectives should be iden- These fires were caused by light- such as maple, and basswood, tified in the burn plan. The objec- ning, or set intentionally by Native allowing the oak to compete more tives help determine the weather Americans. They had discovered successfully. Burning is also more conditions for the burn, the timing that fire killed woody plants, but cost-effective than other treat- of the burn, and how hot the burn encouraged fruit bearing shrubs, ments like bulldozing, cutting, or should be. and forage producing grasslands. chemicals. Notification Present day research and expe- Objective For both safety and legal rea- rience have shown that prescribed Every prescribed burn should sons, certain groups should be burning can be an effective man- have a clear objective. This objec- notified before a burn to prevent agement tool. Prescribed burns are tive is necessary to evaluate the unnecessary concerns and danger. used most frequently to maintain success of the burn. To show the and restore native grasslands. success, or lack thereof, of a pre- Prescribed burning can recycle scribed burn, a photograph can be nutrients tied up in old plant taken before, directly after, and one growth, control many woody plants year following the burn. and herbaceous weeds, improve Objectives for a prescribed burn poor quality forage, increase plant often include one or more of the growth, reduce the risk of large following: wildfires, and improve certain Notifying neighbors, fire depart- Equipment out partway through the burn. If a ments, and local law enforcement Basically three kinds wetland, pond, stream, or other officials should be part of the pre- of equipment are water source is near the burn site, scribed burning process. Working needed for prescribed then pumps and sprayers will be with the local fire department is burning: easy to refill. crucial because a burn permit may be necessary, and there may be a Safety equipment is also very burning ordinance in your area. A 1. tools to ignite the fire important. Make sure that a first copy of the burn plan should be 2. tools to control the fire aid kit and plenty of drinking water given to the local fire department. 3. safety equipment are always nearby. Poorly man- The National Weather Service aged burns or ignorance of safety should have a telephone number A drip torch, a can of liquid fuel measures can lead to property listed in your area. They will be with a long spout, burning lightly at damage, and even injury or death. able to keep you up to date with the end, may be used to start and Even in well-managed burns acci- changing weather conditions. spread the fire. It will drop a three dents can occur. Before, during, to one fuel oil-gas mixture on the and after every burn, safety Considerations grass at a steady rate. This allows should be the major considera- There are many things to con- for a continuous fire line, and tion. Proper clothing can also add sider when planning for a pre- quicker, more efficient fire applica- a measure of safety. Fireproof scribed burn. Burns need to be tion than a fire rake. Nomex pants and shirts are essen- conducted by individuals who tial. Leather boots and gloves, are experienced and trained in To control (mop up) your fire along with eye protection, should the use of fire. However, as a properly, fire swatters, 12 inch X 18 be worn at all times. Never wear landowner, it is important to under- inch pieces of reinforced rubber synthetic fibers like nylon, which stand prescribed burning and its attached to a handle, or fire can melt and stick to skin. A long use. For instance fire moves faster brooms, are great to smother small sleeve shirt, a hard hat, and long uphill than on a level surface, so grass fires. A backpack water pants, will keep you safe from radi- slope of the burn area must be pump can be teamed up with a ant heat and flare-ups. The more taken into account. swatter for maximum efficiency. skilled the burn crew is the more The pump operator would lead likely the fire will be controlled and When using fire it is important knocking down larger flames (using thus beneficial. Generally, three or to plan for firebreaks. A firebreak a spray for cooler fires and a four people are needed on each is an area that will contain a fire stream for hotter ones) while the fireline (more if safety may be chal- within its boundaries. A plowed or swatter can follow up making sure lenged). One will ignite the fire disked strip, reaching down to min- the fire is put out. To aid in the and be in charge of operations (the eral soil, is the most common extinction of the fire, one quart of fire boss), one or two should keep method of establishing a firebreak. dishwashing detergent can be the fire on its correct path, and any Sometimes, a mowed path, or a added to 50 gallons of water (one others should help mop-up (extin- walking trail, can be used as a fire tablespoon of detergent to one gal- guish flare ups or escaped flames). break. Firebreaks can also be lon). This mix helps the water to planted to grasses and clovers so "cling" to the grass fuel. Low-pres- Timing they can provide key food and sure, field crop sprayers with hand- The timing of a burn deter- cover to wildlife. For example, if an gun nozzles can work for small mines the plants which will be ben- area is burned every five to seven burn areas that have safe bound- efited and controlled, the impact on years, the firebreak is disked up the aries, as well as backpack and her- wildlife species, and safety. Most fall before the burn. Then, after the bicide sprayers. An all-terrain vehi- burns are conducted mid to late spring burn, the firebreak is plant- cle can also be helpful for carrying spring, or in the fall. Burning to ed to grasses and clovers. extra tools or tanks of water to favor desired grasses should take Firebreaks should be at least 20 your site. If high-pressure pumps place just as they are starting to feet wide. are used, then water should be green up, and the soil surface is rationed to prevent it from running damp. Generally, a late spring burn PRESCRIBED BURNING will control woody vegetation and Temperature is also important Burn Techniques cool season grasses better than an when laying out a burn plan There are 4 basic burn tech- early spring burn but are not as because of its relation to relative niques used in the prescribed burn- beneficial for wildflowers. This humidity. Below 32 degrees ing of grasslands. These four tech- burn will also provide warm season Fahrenheit grass mats will rarely niques include: grasses with nutrients they need to burn, and above 80 degrees grow. Fahrenheit burning is hazardous. 1. back fire Between 40 degree Fahrenheit and 2. parallel (flank) fire Before burning, nesting times 60 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. 3. perimeter (ring) fire of grassland species should always 4. strip head fire be checked to prevent the destruc- Wind direction and speed tion of nests and their inhabitants. should both be taken into account Each method has strengths and The best time for spring fires is late as well . The wind speed should be weaknesses depending on the March into April; generally in the between three and seven mph, and weather conditions, size of the morning or evening, when the rela- the wind direction should remain area, and expertise of the individu- tive humidity and temperature are steady. If either varies greatly, the als conducting the fire. Special not changing as rapidly as during fire can shift with gusts of wind, considerations when conducting daylight hours. The drier the area and may burn too quickly with an the burn include power lines, tele- the earlier the burn should be to increase in wind speed. Both of phone lines, and oil or gas lines. avoid damaging the earliest bloom- these variables can severely hinder ing wildflowers. Though fall burns safety precautions if not watched A backfire is used downwind are possible and can be beneficial, closely. In general, wind is calmer of the burn site. This is most often they are often avoided, due to the in the morning and the evening. the coolest and safest fire. cooler temperatures, drier ground, Smoke management is crucial. However, it is slower burning and and destruction to winter wildlife Always warn your neighbors of therefore takes longer to finish. habitat they may cause. your burn, and prevent smoke from The fire is ignited on the downwind hindering any roadways by plan- side of the fuel and slowly burns Weather ning your burn when the wind into the field against the wind, Conditions direction is going away from the expanding the firebreak. This burn Weather road. technique is often used in conjunc- has an overrid- tion with other burn methods. ing effect on a Of all the weather parameters prescribed burn. the wind speed and direction are A parallel or flank fire burns A burn plan will most critical. Unless professionals hotter and faster than a strip fire or outline the are included in the burn crew a backfire. It works well on square weather condi- burn at over seven mph is not rec- or circular parcels. A fire is ignited tions, which must be met before ommended. Faster burns are less on the sides of the burn site paral- the burn is conducted. It is very effective. They may not remove all lel to the wind direction at the important to have the latest and the litter and unwanted species. In same time or soon after a backfire most updated weather conditions addition, safety comes first. Often is lit. The people igniting the fires available before starting the burn. the safest time to burn is in the on either side should keep continu- Relative humidity is an important evening between 7 pm and 10 pm. ously in touch by 2 way radio. factor to consider when planning a This is when humidity is on the controlled burn. If the relative rise, temperature decreases, and A perimeter fire is not only humidity is below 50%, the dryness wind speed dies down, creating the one of the quickest burn methods, of the grass is prone to causing setting for a slower (and safer) fire. but also creates a hotter fire than very hot fires. If the relative However, burning after dark can be those listed above. Since this type humidity is above 70% the fire will dangerous. Areas still smoldering of burn technique develops a hotter have a hard time catching at all. can be missed. and faster moving fire, which can Therefore a relative humidity be harder to control, it must be between 50% and 70% works handled carefully. This method best. PRESCRIBED BURNING

PRESCRIBED BURN PLAN (attach aerial photo) maintain native grassland communi- Landowner: ties. An objective is Address: established and a Location of Burn: County ______Township______Range ______burn plan is devel- Section______Field # ______oped which meets Burn Objective: ______the burn objective. ______Experienced and trained individuals Burn target date(s): ______conduct the burn under the guidance Desired Burn Conditions: Wind Speed ______Wind Direction ______of a burn plan. Relative Humidity ______Soil Moisture ______Neigh-bors, local law Parties to Notify Local Fire Dept.______Sheriff's Dept. ______enforcement agen- Resource Agency ______Neighbors ______cies, and local fire departments should be notified. Safety is Fire Plan: indicate on aerial photo the wind direction, fire lanes, location and type, back-up fire lanes, firing always the top prior- sequence and hazards such as roads, buildings, power lines, etc. ity for the burn.

Suppression in Event of Escape Plan: Discontinue firing sequence. Leave sufficient personnel with the pre- scribed burn to prevent further escape. Remainder of crew suppress escaped fire. Notify local department if necessary.

Equipment Needs Rake ______Swatters ______Drip torches ______Backpack Sprayers ______Water Wagons ______Other ______

Burn Crew: Fire Boss ______L-Flank fire ______Backfire ______Water Wagon ______R-flank fire ______Mop-up ______starts with a backfire, followed by the downwind side of the site, lighting the flanks, and finished by burning only one at a time. Ideal lighting the upwind side of the when burning with a limited num- burn site called the head of the ber of personnel. Remember when site. This headfire will move rapid- choosing a burn technique, your ly towards the flanks and backfire. level of experience with burning, and that of your burn crew, should FOR ADDITIONAL A strip head fire burns slight- be a major factor in your choice. CHAPTERS CONTACT: Michigan United ly faster than a backfire, is rela- Conservation Clubs tively safe, and works well for PO Box 30235 burning rectangular or odd shaped Summary Lansing, MI 48909 parcels. It is also cost-effective. A Prescribed burning is an 517/371-1041 series of strips are lit, starting at important management tool to

Private Land Partnerships: This partnership was formed between both private and public organizations in order to address private lands wildlife issues. Individuals share resources, information, and expertise. This landowner’s guide has been a combined effort between these groups working towards one goal: Natural Resources Education. We hope this manual provides you with the knowledge and the motivation to make positive changes for our environment.

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