Prescribed Burns

Prescribed Fire

Fire applied in a skillful manner in a …

• predetermined place,

• under exacting weather conditions

• to achieve specific management objectives.

Prescribed Burn Regions

1. Panhandle Plains

2. Edwards Plateau & Trans-Pecos

3. Rolling Plains & Cross Timbers

4. East Texas Pineywoods

5. South Texas Plains & Coastal Marshes

Burn Region we live in

South Texas Plains & Coastal Marshes

Burn Region Competition takes place

Prescribed Burn Plan

Sets forth a plam-of-action for componenets of the fire

Objectives of a Burn Plan (name at least 3)

• Reduces hazardous fuels

• Site prep

• Improve wildlife habitat

• Manage competing vegitation

• Control disease

• improve forage for grazing

• enhance appearance

• Improve Access

• Perpetuate Fire Adapted/Dependent Species

• Manage Endangered Species

• Removal of invasives

Characteristics of an Invasive Species

• Few natural enemies

• High reproductive rate

• Long-lived

• Good dispersal

• Generalists

• Pioneer Species

Hazard Fuel Reduction

• 3-5yr cycle in Pines

• Limited benefit in Hardwood Forest

• “Patchy” burn okay

Site Preperation

• Reduces/removes logging slash

• Reduces competition for seedlings

• Facilitaes Planting

• Can stimulate better quality “Sprouts”

Fire Adapted Species

• Oak/Chesnut FOrest

• Pitcher Plants

• Southern Yellow Pine Community

Factors necessary for objective

• Fire intensity

• BTU release

• Temperature

• “Completeness” of burn

Burn Plan Conditions

• Weather Conditions (Temp, Wind, RH, Cloud Cover, Approaching FRonts, Exposure)

• Fuel Conditions (1hr, 10hr, 100hr, 1,000hr), Slope

• Fire Breaks — Natural or created

• Topographic Features — Aspect, Exposure, Connectivity of fuels, and breaks in terrain

Wind

5-15 mph

Relative Humidity

30-50%

Temp

• <75 (Dormant)

• <80 (Growing Seas)

Rain

<400

Stability

Slightly Unstable

Burning Index

<40

Social Considerations

• Fire has a negative connotaion with