The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve announced its prescribed fire season has begun and will run through April, weather conditions and moisture levels permitting. Prescribed fire is one method used to promote a healthy prairie and maintain the cultural landscape of the preserve. It is also used by preserve land managers to control woody vegetation and promote native plant and animal diversity. Prescribed fire is a partnership operation involving The Nature Conservancy, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Learn more about fire by going to the preserve’s website and clicking on the Nature section.Fire practitioners look for a narrow set of weather conditions for specific fires to have desired ecological impacts and smoke dispersal.
Due to the unpredictability of weather patterns, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity, there is usually not much advanced notice leading up to a prescribed burn. Some trails and areas may be closed during prescribed fire operations, sometimes on short notice.
Visitors who are hiking or fishing may have their plans interrupted as a result of the burning activity, but this typically does not last more than a day. For safety, visitors are asked to not cross any fire lines or venture beyond barricades and signs.
