Prescribed fire good for all concerned

The use of prescribed fire is a major habitat and wildlife management tool used frequently by natural resource professionals and trained laymen throughout the Southeast. The concept of prescribed-fire habitat management is pretty simple. It is a fire that is planned, or “prescribed,” for application on a certain area. It is utilized at a certain time of year and under predetermined environmental conditions such as wind direction and speed, humidity and fuel moisture. These parameters are used to obtain a predetermined result.

Despite its growing popularity and the growing trend toward prescribed fire usage, the use of prescribed fire is often misunderstood.

“Throughout history, fires, especially unplanned blazes or ‘wildfires,’ have often resulted in the destruction of human property and the loss of human life,” said wildlife biologist Barry Baird. “Because of this, the term ‘fire’ is often associated with negative undesirable consequences. This perception is most often the result of a lack of understanding regarding the vital role of fire in natural, native landscapes.”

According to Baird, the key term to focus on in the phrase “prescribed fire” is the word “prescribed.” Prescribed fire, like a physician’s medical prescription, has a planned, desired outcome and a detailed set of directions for proper application. To obtain the proper and desired result there must be a specific detailed plan, or prescription, followed up by the proper execution.

“Fire affects wildlife by altering the animals’ habitat,” Baird explained. “During the cool season, sometimes referred to as the dormant season, prescribed-fire habitat burns are typically conducted between the months of December and April. Environmental conditions of a cool-season burn usually have a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit or lower combined with minimal new vegetation growth.”

This dormant-season burn is often used to reduce heavy undergrowth fuel loads (dried vegetation, dead wood, etc.) or is employed in areas with dense overhead tree canopies. It produces lower overall temperatures, which limits potential fire damage to overstory vegetation, and decreases levels of accumulated forest litter. It also helps diminish the intensity of an accidental or nature-caused wildfire should one ever occur. Cool-season prescribed fires also stimulate the growth of forbs, legumes, native grasses and the germination of certain native plant seeds.

“Warm-season, or growing-season, burns are typically applied from early spring to late summer,” said Baird. “Typical environmental conditions for a warm-season burn are temperatures in the mid 70s or higher, moderately to exceptionally damp soil, and active ongoing vegetation growth.”

A warm-season burn is used to control woody brush, stimulate the growth of native grasses, and open up a forest’s understory and midstory to more sunlight. Increased sunlight will provide a more diverse understory of high-quality browse plants and cover for the benefit of wildlife species.

“Each type of prescribed burn has its own set of specific guidelines and desired outcomes determined by certain individual circumstances,” Baird continued. “Wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, bobwhite quail, select songbirds, small mammals, reptiles and even amphibians can all benefit from appropriately applied prescribed fire.”

Some of these wildlife benefits are instantaneous and others more long term. Many wildlife species will immediately utilize the freshly burned bare areas as places to forage for insects or to pick up newly exposed seeds and nuts. The fires also release nutrients into the soil, which stimulate the growth of quality native plants. As this beneficial vegetation develops, different animals will utilize the area for nesting cover, protection from predators and weather, and for forage or travel corridors.

“The use of prescribed fire can be very beneficial to wildlife,” Baird concluded. “It is very cost effective and, with a little training and a properly followed plan, it is relatively easy to apply. Prescribed fires can benefit wildlife habitat on a larger scale more economically and more quickly than most other habitat enhancements. More acres are managed for the benefit of wildlife as a result of prescribed fire than any other type of management throughout the Southeast.”

Before you conduct a prescribed burn, several important considerations should be made. A prescribed burn manager’s certification is recommended to ensure liability protection. Training programs are offered by state forestry departments that consist of fire behavior and burn manager courses. Proper training will provide the information required to develop the burn plan that is right for an individual’s particular property. A plan should always consist of specific goals, safety precautions, optimum environmental conditions, assistance, materials, cost, etc. In addition, private companies and many governmental forest service agencies will conduct prescribed burning for landowners for a reasonable fee.

If you decide to pursue prescribed-fire habitat management, contact the proper natural resource authorities for further information. They will get you off to the proper start.