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PRESCRIBED
FIRE PROGRAM
for Private Landowners
Prescribed Fire ApplicationApplications for Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 burns must be submitted by August 31, 2009.
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.
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
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.
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2005 Reeves Prescribed Burn
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2006 Reeves Spring Results
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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