A documentary on prescribed burning in the Flint Hills region of Kansas will be featured on PBS stations in Kansas City and Wichita. The program titled “Flint Hills Fire Culture: A Legacy of Caring for the Tallgrass Prairie” will be live-streamed on Thursday, March 14, with viewers encouraged to check local listings for specific air times.
Prescribed fire has a deep-rooted history in the Flint Hills region, dating back to the time of the Great Plains tribes before European settlement. Today, ranchers and land managers continue to utilize prescribed burning as a management strategy to enhance the prairie ecosystem, control weeds and trees, improve grazing, and reduce wildfire risks.
The documentary explores the reasons for prescribed burning, addresses concerns about smoke from downwind residents, and highlights the safety measures taken by land managers during controlled burns. Interviews with over 50 Kansas ranchers provide valuable insight into the traditional fire culture of the region.
Produced by the Great Plains Fire Exchange, the documentary sheds light on the importance of fire culture in Kansas by examining historical context, ecological impact, regulations, and community acceptance. Fire Exchanges, like the Great Plains Fire Exchange, aim to distribute knowledge of wildland fire to help individuals make informed decisions regarding fire management practices.
In addition to the 30-minute documentary, shorter videos covering various topics related to prescribed burning will be available online. These videos delve deeper into subjects such as cooperative burning, public perception, economics, and regulations.
For more information on the documentary and related materials, visit https://gpfirescience.org or contact Carol Baldwin at 785-532-0416 or carolbaldwin@ksu.edu. Explore the rich history of prescribed burning in the Flint Hills region and the ongoing efforts to maintain a healthy prairie ecosystem through careful land management practices.
