Prescribed Burning Offers Many Benefits To Producers, Public

 

Prescribed burning works. Prescribed burning is an effective technique to reduce fuel build up that contributes to wildfire and reduce Eastern Red-cedar pollen. It is critical to land resource management, but it must be used in a safe and proper manner.

 

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Oklahoma State University Extension Service, Oklahoma Prescribed Burn Association (OPBA), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service will co-host a two-day Prescribed Burning Workshop to discuss the benefits and proper use of prescribed burning for land management to landowners. This workshop, which is open to the public, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 21, and Wednesday, July 22, at the Marietta High School Cafeteria, located at 800 SW Fourth Ave. in Marietta, Oklahoma.

 

This workshop is aligned with the educational outreach objectives of the OPBA, a newly formed statewide organization that educates the public and policymakers about the need to use prescribed fire and the safety of this management practice. The workshop will help landowners and others who are interested learn the steps of how to safely and successfully implement prescribed fire. It will focus on the prescribed burn written management plan, the most important aspect of a prescribed burn.

 

“Our ecosystem in the Southern Great Plains naturally developed with fire. It needs the fire to be healthy,” said Russell Stevens, wildlife and range consultant. “Therefore, fire becomes a tool and must be used correctly. We must use science-based information, practical knowledge and common sense when prescribing and implementing fire. This workshop focuses on all of these components.”

 

Day one of the workshop will focus on planning a burn. Prescribed burn specialists will break down each part of a written burn plan, discussing the specifics and importance of each section. A small demonstration burn will be conducted in the afternoon (weather permitting).

 

Day two will focus on developing a burn plan. Specialists will present a case study, and participants will have the opportunity to build a plan using the case study. A large demonstration burn will be conducted in the afternoon (weather permitting).

 

Each day will also include a detailed explanation of the equipment used for prescribed burns. Attendees who would like to participate in the demonstration burns need to wear cotton or fire-resistant long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, leather boots, hat and gloves.