Prescribed Fires At Stone Park

Historically fire was an important factor for maintaining healthy prairie habitats. It was caused by natural events, such as lightning storms, and set intentionally by Native Americans. They used fire during hunts to trap animals, to protect themselves from wildfires, and to make traveling through grasslands easier. However, as more American settlers moved in to areas and human population numbers increased, fire was suppressed to protect the people, their homes, and town structures. Because of this trees and shrubs have encroached on many prairies, decreasing habitat quality and availability. In order to protect and restore prairie systems, prescribed fires have become an important land management tool.

 Due to scientific research it is understood that prairie plants are adapted to the presence of fire. Grasses and wildflowers have extensive root systems, where fire does not penetrate, so they are not harmed. As fire goes through an area, ground cover thatch is reduced and nutrients are released back into the soil. At the same time non-native seedling and sapling plants are killed. The combination of increased light availability, higher nutrient levels, and decreased competition stimulates the growth of native plants.

Historically Stone Park also had oak-savanna habitats, meaning that Burr Oak trees were dispersed within the prairie grasses and flowers. Fire helps these habitats too. Burr oaks have thick bark that protects them from fire and their saplings are much more fire resistant than other tree saplings. Because of this fire can be used to decrease leaf litter among the trees, kill non-prairie trees that have invaded, and reduce the number of non-native seedlings. All of these factors help ensure that the savannas are preserved instead of transitioning into more dense woodlands, where prairie species cannot survive.

So what does it take to successfully perform a prescribed burn? The first step is planning. The burn area must be identified, and control lines must be established. Weather is closely monitored and area officials are informed. A crew of experienced people is gathered and equipped with proper fire tools. The weather, plans, hazards, safety precautions, and goals are all discussed. Then the area is intentionally set on fire and closely monitored during and after the burn. The area is also monitored over the following days to make sure all of the fire is out and there is no threat of a prescribed burn turning into an uncontrolled wildfire. As you can see, each prescribed fire takes a lot of work, and each one is taken very seriously.

This year we have conducted two prescribed fires here at Stone Park. One burn was done along the Mount Lucia trail and the other was done on the Mount Talbot State Preserve. It has been about two weeks since both burns and if you visit these areas you will already see a difference. The black is quickly turning to green and the prairie plants will continue and thrive throughout the summer.