Wakarusa River Watershed

February 16, 2007

Prairie Fires and Grassland Health

In Kansas, fire has been used as a management tool to rejuvenate and maintain grasslands for decades. Fire is essential to maintain the prairie ecosystem. Without it, our prairies will eventually become a forest.

Fire has been integral to the development of Great Plains grasslands. Based on early records, natural fires, started by lightning, varied from only a few acres to some that covered thousands of acres and lasted weeks. In addition, the Plains Indians started fires to move game into certain areas.

Prescribed burning is a major management tool of rangeland. Properly used, it can be a cost-effective method for increasing the productivity of rangeland and controlling many undesirable plants. It also can reduce the hazards of wildfires and benefit domestic livestock and wildlife.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

People should read this.