Written collaboratively by Sean Kelly, SDSU Extension Range Management Field Specialist and Gregory Volunteer Fire Department member, and Mark Green, Gregory Volunteer Fire Department member.
Mark Green has been helping the Mid-Missouri River Prescribed Burn Association (abbreviated as MMRPBA) since it was formed in 2016. Mark is not a landowner, but he is a firefighter that believes in prescribed burning. So why should he help the MMRPBA? There have been several tragic stories about wildfires across the country the past few years. Some examples would include the major wildfires that burned across the plains of Kansas and Oklahoma in 2017. Closer to home, the Niobrara River Valley wildfires impacted Nebraska in 2012. When fire departments assist in conducting prescribed burns, the volatile fuel loads that lead to tragic wildfires can be reduced.
The Missouri River breaks in South Dakota are another prime example. Landowners are starting to burn areas where cedar trees are taking over. Not only are they reclaiming pasture for grazing, but the fire departments are getting fuel breaks in the river hills. These fuel breaks will make containing a wildfire much easier if one were to happen in the future.
The second benefit of fire departments assisting with prescribed burns is the training acquired. Some volunteer fire departments do not receive much training in fighting wildland fires. Assisting with prescribed burns gives the departments a chance to learn how fuels, weather and landscape can affect fire behavior in a controlled setting. Other skills, like how to run a drip torch and perform burn out operations, can also be learned.
The third benefit is the positive publicity the fire department may receive. Landowners are thankful when the department in their fire district is helping with their prescribed burn. If you are thinking about having a prescribed burn, please talk to your local fire department and see if they would be willing to assist you.
Over the last 7 years, the MMRPBA has been thankful to receive assistance from the following fire departments: Burke Volunteer Fire Department, Gregory Volunteer Fire Department, Bonesteel Volunteer Fire Department, Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department and Academy Volunteer Fire Department.
