Prescribed Fire Application	 Applications for Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 burns must be submitted by August 31, 2009.                                                              

Reminder of Safer Burn Practices      Killing Large Cedars-Fuel Load

CPNRD Concludes RX Burn Spring Season

The Central Platte Natural Resources District has recently concluded its spring prescribed burns for 2009.  The accomplishment for this year was 17 prescribed fires totaling 965 acres burned safely.  The burns were conducted in Buffalo, Dawson, Hall, Merrick, Howard, Sherman, Polk, and Platte counties.

Central Platte NRD Prescribed burn program coordinator David Carr said: “Utilizing these burns has helped the landowners in our district to kill thousands of unwanted cedar trees in a very fast and cost effective manner.  These burns have also removed tons of hazardous woody material from these pastures and fields ahead of this summer’s fire season.  That should help slow down wildfires if lighting should strike in the area.”

Since the inception of the Central Platte NRD burn program in 2005, the burn crew has completed 92 burns without incident.  Carr attributes this fact to the high level of training, equipment and preparation that is put into each project.  “Our crew became state certified wildland firefighters in 2005,” Carr said.

Money is available through NRCS and Pheasants Forever programs to pay for much of the burning and also to help defray the cost of letting pastures sit idle in preparation for a burn. “Burning when the cedar trees are smaller saves a landowner tens of thousands of dollars when compared to removing older mature trees using equipment not to mention the lost profit from the reduced grazing capacity the cedars cause.  “Many of the landowners I talk to don’t want to face that up front cost of letting a pasture sit idle and then paying for a burn, but the result will more than pay for itself,” Carr said. 

 This spring saw dry conditions and at least one major wildfire in our area.  Controlled burns have often been confused with prescribed burns in our area.   The differences between a controlled burn and a prescribed burn are very significant.  Prescribed burns always involve the proper notifications, plans and permits, as well as a completely prepared perimeter.  Prescribed burns also involve crews of 6-12 folks who are properly equipped and trained.  “Controlled burns including trash burns and pile burns are not prescribed burns and muddling the issue is counter productive to the Nebraska producer,” Carr added.

Currently, the Central Platte NRD is accepting applications for fall 2009 and spring 2010 burn projects.  If any one is interested in having a field burned safely, they should contact the NRD at (308) 385-6282.  The boundary preparation is best done the fall before the fire so the sooner the better.

                                                     Why is prescribed burning important?                                                                                    

Prescribed fire can be a valuable tool in the maintenance and improvement of native grasslands. Rangeland areas devoid of fire occurrence are often sites of problems involving invasive species. These invasive species such as Eastern Red Cedar can take away natural grassland acres that are necessary for grazing as well as for wildlife.  Prescribed Fire enhances grazing and habitat by killing cedar trees and promoting native warm season grasses.

In addition, rangelands that are always grazed in the fall, or winter with no spring treatment may become areas dominated by native and non- native cool season grasses, and invasive weeds. These areas offer a reduced food value to livestock, and are of reduced value to native wildlife.  When prescribed fire is used along with appropriate grazing practices, the result is increased economic output and wildlife benefit.


Cost Share Program:
Cost share is available for costs incurred while directly implementing prescribed fire. The Central Platte NRD will reimburse at a rate of 50% of the actual costs, up to a maximum of $15.00 per acre, and up to a maximum of $2,500.00 per cooperator.  

Requirements:
The actual prescribed fire and the claim for payment must be made within nine months of the date the application is approved.  Applications for cost share are not effective until approved by the NRD Board of Directors. Landowner(s) will be notified by the NRD concerning approval. Call the CPNRD office at 308-385-6282 to receive an application.                                       Cost Share Application

Central Platte NRD's 1st Prescribed Burn
In 2005, the NRD conducted its first prescribed burn near Chapman on land owned by Don and Barbara Reeves. The burn was conducted on five acres of land just across the road from their home.  The Reeves' goal to kill weed seeds & rejuvenate the natural grasses that had been planted were reached.  These included: buffalograss, big bluestem, sideoats gramma, switchgrass, little blue stem and blue gramma.  Don is growing grasses in his greenhouse that he hopes to transplant later this spring. In the past, the acreage had been used for grazing by his neighbors cattle. Don is also hoping the burn will help wildflowers that he’s planted such as coneflowers, Mexican redhat, blanketflowers, blue easters, purple prairie clover, Illinois bungleflower, and partridge pea.

Process of Prescribed Fire:

There are three steps involved in the successful use of prescribed fire:
1. Planning- An open burning permit and prescribed fire plan must be completed prior to each burn as mandated by state law. The NRD prescribed fire coordinator will be available to assure the prescribed fire plan meets all state law requirements.

2. Preparation- The burn unit boundaries and internal features need to be prepared prior to the burn to help ensure safety.  The NRD prescribed fire coordinator will assist in making recommendations for this type of preparation. Preparation can include mowing or disking the lines or anchor points, and brush or tree removal/piling.

3. Implementation- The burn must be implemented by a qualified, insured, prescribed fire contractor.

                                                                                                                                                                            NRD Burn Crew: Milt Moravek, Matt Bohnenkamp, Marcia Lee, 
Tom Backer, Dan Clement, Dave Carr (burn boss), Mark Czaplewski

CONTACT:          David Carr  Fire Coordinator/Burn Boss     
                             Kelly Cole   Programs Coordinator                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Tel: 308-385-6282   Fax: 308-385-6285    215 N Kaufman Avenue    Grand Island NE 68803      

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