According to the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), prescribed burning is the intentional and controlled application of fire to a pre-determined area to reduce the risk of wildfire, improve wildlife habitat, control weeds, improve pasture and forest stand conditions, and improve forest health.
Prescribed burning can be applied for several purposes. For the plant community, prescribed burning is used to manage undesirable vegetation and reduce plant pressure caused by pests, pathogens, and diseases. For safety and protection of property, prescribed burning is used to reduce the various risks associated with wildfire. For wildlife, prescribed burning is used to improve terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates (pollinators), and it improves plant and seed production, quantity, and/or quality. For livestock, prescribed burning is used to improve the livestock-forage balance by enhancing plant productivity and the distribution of grazing and browsing animals. Prescribed burning also improves habitat for soil organisms, thereby enhancing soil health.
Application of this highly specialized practice requires intensive training and sufficient support personnel and equipment. A safe, successful burn must be timed for proper humidity, wind condition, air temperature, and fuel conditions (ignitable vegetation). Safety precautions are planned before the burn and monitored during the burn.
Our staff, led by Sam Leaverton, perform prescribed burns by appoint. Call the Kent Soil and Water Conservation District office at 410-778-5150 to schedule.
For more information on Prescribed Burning, visit NRCS’s Website and/or the US Forest Service website.