This Burn is for the Birds

Monday afternoon, on very short notice, and with the window of opportunity rapidly closing it dried out sufficiently for us to conduct a prescribed burn.

You're probably scratching your head over the notion of someone deliberately setting something on fire beside a BBQ grill.

Over the years we have suppressed Ma Nature's use of fire to maintain the natural order.  While suppressing fire will bring a smile the face of my pal Smokey Bear it also has unintended consequences.  Most recent among them have been the devastating wildfires in California and other states.  So, at usually three year intervals, this practice is performed by a professional burn crew on sensitive wildlife habitat.  Plus it removes a boatload of combustible material that is close to the house.  

BUG Fire Department authorized the burn and was in the loop at all times.

A controlled burn accomplishes a number of things.  Included among them are:

1. Fire removes excess fuel (built-up thatch) thereby reducing the risk of an out-of-control wildfire.
2. Fire returns valuable nutrients to the soil
3. Fire kills undesirable woody vegetation, invasive plant species and the blackened earth warms-up quickly in the spring sunshine stimulating the growth of desirable native plants
4. Following the application of fire the resulting flush of desirable plant regrowth is a benefit to wildlife – including insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds.

Photos and video clips.....

Burn Crew

Starting to back burn from the west

 

Continuing the back burn

Commencing the head fire from the south

Letting it rip with head fire from the east  

Prime contractor does terrific work

  
The aftermath on our Tuesday morning walk - blackened, scorched earth.  I'll perform some touch-up work with my new Mini Dragon.