George Washington Carver National Monument 2015 prescribed fire monitoring report
Leis SA. 2016. George Washington Carver National Monument 2015 prescribed fire monitoring report. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/HTLN/NRDS—2016/1015. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
The northern prairie (burn units 1, 2, and 7) were burned on October 21, 2015. These units were last burned in 2014. The rapid fire return interval was prescribed to continue to reduce woody plant encroachment. Ignition began in the NE corner of the park, point D, (unit 1) at 0950 (Figure 1). Crews blackened in that corner using stripping techniques then crews proceeded both to the west and south using a ring fire ignition pattern. A portion of unit 7, between points H and I, had previously been mowed requiring additional interior ignition. Crews met and completed ignition at the SW corner of unit 2. Ignition on the western third of the north prairie was timed to produce the most intense heat in a patch of ash and sycamore saplings that have been difficult to eradicate. Ignition was completed at point K at 1110. Mopup then commenced. An after-action review (AAR) was conducted after mop up was satisfactory. It was noted that there were no unplanned safety concerns and burn lines were well prepared. The location for tying up the fire is not ideal because of the shape of the unit along the north tree line. Relocating a portion of the the north burn line in the woodland might be something to consider in the future (between points I and J). That spot has presented challenges in the past as well. After the AAR, the monitoring team began post-burn assessments. The team was approached by the land owner to the north of the monument regarding slowly moving fire that entered his property just west of burn unit 1. Fire crews patrolling the burned area of the park were notified and quickly responded to extinguish any fire outside the burn unit.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Leis, Sherry
- Date of Issue
- 2016-05
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- GWCA , HTLN , NRSS
- Keywords
- Burning, FIRE, Fire ecology monitoring reports, Fuel, GWCA, HTLN, Prairie, Prescribed Fire, Restoration, Shrubs, tallgrass prairie
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Grassland/Herbaceous Communities , Ecological Framework: Landscapes | Fire and Fuel Dynamics | Fire and Fuel Dynamics