In this episode of Blazin' Grazin' and Other Wild Things, hosts John Weir, Dr. Laura Goodman, and Dr. Mark Turner dig deep into the value of growing season burns. 
They discuss how summer fires, often underused due to misconceptions about safety, can be the most effective tool for land managers dealing with eastern redcedar, poor forage quality, and wildlife habitat degradation. 
Drawing on years of OSU Extension research and firsthand experience, they reveal how fire during the warmer months can be slower-moving and safer than many think.

Listeners will learn how these burns enhance plant nutrition for both cattle and wildlife, why concerns about risk and liability are overblown, and how to plan burns that align with weather and vegetation goals. 
From practical strategies like creating wide firebreaks and managing brush piles to the science behind fire behavior and plant responses, this episode delivers insights that could reshape your approach to land stewardship.


Key Takeaways:

1. Growing season burns are highly effective at controlling larger eastern redcedar trees.
2. Livestock and wildlife benefit from increased forage quality post-burn.
3. Liability concerns around prescribed fire are largely based on perception, not data.
4. Most spot fires are small and manageable; large escapes are extremely rare.
5. Summer burns produce lower flames and slower-moving fires, enhancing safety.
6. Wind and humidity are key parameters in planning a successful burn.
7. Summer burns can expand the burning window, offering more flexibility for landowners.
8. Proper planning, equipment, and training minimize risks and maximize effectiveness.
9. Fire improves not only plant quality but also diet diversity for cattle and wildlife.
10. Growing season fires offer better results than dormant burns in many cases.

Timestamps:

[00:02:00] What is a prescribed fire? Terminology and misconceptions
[00:04:00] The main reasons people burn in the Great Plains
[00:08:00] Forage quality and fire's impact on plant nutrition
[00:13:00] Liability and risk—what the data says about escapes and claims
[00:29:00] Cedar variability and how to burn effectively
[00:36:00] Comparing dormant vs. growing season burns
[00:43:00] Safety and practicality of summer burns
[00:48:00] Rain timing, regrowth, and maximizing burn effectiveness

 

Find all resources at BlazinGrazinWildThings.com