Prescribed burns

What is prescribed burning?
Prescribed burning is the intentional application of fire to meet land management objectives. It is conducted under an approved plan by trained personnel in appropriate weather conditions to manage invasive plant species and to reduce hazardous fuels that build up in the absence of natural fires

Why conduct prescribed burns? Prescribed burns are a cost-effective way to reduce invasive and nonnative plant species so that native vegetation can be maintained and restored. Rain to Recreation restores and maintains native prairie plants because their deep roots increase the soil’s capacity to capture and retain water. The dense clay soils in Kansas make it difficult for water to soak into the ground quickly. As natural vegetation is replaced with non-native species, less stormwater is absorbed into the ground, leading to more stormwater runoff and water pollution. Managing prairies with prescribed burns has many benefits. Unburned prairies leave a mantle of dead and decaying vegetation that stifles the growth of the prairie plants by reducing space and light. Burning also helps release the nutrients in the dead vegetation so it can be used by the new growth. The blackened soil heats up quickly by absorbing solar energy, stimulating seed germination, sprouting and growth.

Prescribed burns will control the spread of shrubs and other nonnative species that outcompete native plants. Without burning, many of the prairies would eventually turn in forests or be replaced by invasive species that lack the water quality benefits native plants provide.

How does it work?
Lenexa’s watershed crews determine the site and safety precautions (such as firebreaks) after examining the site’s topography and vegetation. After monitoring weather conditions to ensure it is safe to conduct a burn, the crews carefully start the fire, burning from an established perimeter inward. As it burns, members of the crew keep the fire contained, and they stay with the fire until it has burned out.

Any fire can be dangerous if not kept under control. Prior to a prescribed fire, variables affecting fires are studied carefully. Wind conditions, humidity, temperature and the amount of moisture in plant material are all monitored by Lenexa’s watershed crews who are trained to meet National Wildfire Coordinating and Group standards.

All fires are conducted with permits from the Johnson County Environmental Department and the Kansas Department of Health and the Environment. Flyers are distributed to residents adjacent to designated burn sites.

Burns will only be conducted during the daytime hours and the Lenexa fire department will be onsite. The fire will be completely extinguished before city staff leave the site. No structures will be threatened by prescribed burning and nearby residents have been notified.

Resources
View Lenexa’s burn plans
Check out a map of 2009 prescribed burning sites


Need more information?
Contact Mandy Stark, Watershed Outreach & Education Specialist.