Prescribed burns 2025

River field burn 11/13/25

The burn plan for fall includes the river field for on-going removal of boxelders from the prairie and recovery from past damage due to the boxelders.  In addition, there are weak areas on the upper prairie near the power lines.  There are about 15 acres on the upper prairie in total targeted for fall burn. 

River field burn 11/13/25 (fire line)

River field burn 11/13/25 (along the bank)

A demonstration burn scheduled for 11/5 was cut short due to low wind conditions. The wind had been in a pattern of high speeds during the day but dropped precipitously later afternoon and was essentially calm on the river field at around 4:45 and remained very low.  A successful burn of the River Field was executed a week later on 11/13.  

Upper Prairie burn (Seth Andrews on fire break) 11/16/25

Conditions for the upper prairie were challenging for 11/16.  The prairie is loaded with fuel in all directions so any burn has to stay in the plot.  The field has complex curves and topography so managing the fireline is key.  The low wind was excellent for burning breaks but the humidity was also very low and meant close attention was needed.  Breaks were burned around the entire break before burning.  The plot was only 3 acres but took most of the day to complete.  

Weather data 11/16

Upper prairie burn (blazing juniper) 11/16

Upper prairie before burn on 11/16

Upper prairie 11/16 near the end of the burn

Fire line upper prairie 11/16

11/13/25 (red during burn window)

By the Miracle Well (River Field) 11/13/25