Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
1. SITE:
Bluestem Prairie, Clay County, Minnesota. 1,200 acres. #14-2
2. ELEMENTS:
PC black soil prairie NW MN B3/A
SP Spartina gracilis B3
SP Orobanche fasciculata B3
SP Tofieldia glutinosa B3
SA greater prairie chicken B3
SA loggerhead shrike B3
Also noteworthy: fen-like areas, Carex scirpiformis, Calamagrostis montanensis, sharp-tailed sparrow, Henslow's sparrow, upland sandpiper, prairie vole. Exact EO locations not currently known for all elements.
The prairie type has been further divided by Dziadyk and Clambey (1983) into communities dominated by 1) Bouteloua gracilis and Stipa spartea, 2) Andropogon scoparius and Sporobolus heterolepis, and 3) Andropogon gerardii and Calamagrostis inexpansa.
3. STATUS:
Site is owned by TNC, leased as a Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) to the State of Minnesota. Native prairie in Buffalo River State Park is adjacent to the north. 160 acres of prairie will probably be added to the preserve in 1983. No change in status is foreseen.
4. FIRE UNITS:
Maps attached. The current preserve has four fire management units (I, II, III, IV). Boundaries between fire units approximately follow section or quarter section lines, except for the boundary between units III and IV which follows a course of relatively high ground. Lines dividing units run east and west. This is appropriate since the land generally slopes from high elevations in the east to low elevations in the west. Each fire unit thus includes a range of high to low elevations and representations of most of the different soil types and prairie communities present. (See maps in Minnesota DNR 1980).
Perimeter breaks on the west side are close to occurrences of Spartina gracilis, and these should be avoided in firebreak preparation.
An earlier plan (Minnesota MR 1980) called for eight fire units. Unless TNC receives more help from DNR with fire break mowing and prescribed burning, that plan is not feasible. The current proposal results in relatively large units, but is considered feasible. Units may be divided into smaller compartments to facilitate burning but this is considered discretionary.
The potential 160 acres addition to the south is tentatively designated as Unit V.
5. OBJECTIVES, CONSTRAINTS ON SITE PLANNING:
A general objective is to produce a rotating mosaic of different structural conditions in the prairie. Two types of structures are considered: depth of mulch and plant density at different height strata. It is well documented that prairie plants (Weaver and Rowland 1952) and animals (Kantrud 1981, Kirsch et al. 1978) respond differentially to mulch and vertical structure. By producing unit to unit variation in structure we should be able to perpetuate the full diversity of native prairie species present on the site.
Specific Objectives for Bluestem Prairie are:
1. Using the natural process of dormant season fire, remove 70% or more of the fine fuel litter in each fire unit at least once in 5 years. A 3 year fire interval is optimal. Allow mulch to accumulate between removals.
2. Maintain unit to unit variety of plant densities at different height strata. This will vary, in part, with the number of growing seasons since the last fire.
3. Accomplish objectives 1 and 2 in a mosaic, rotational pattern. Never burn more than 40% of the prairie in one season and year.
4. Maintain the principle native grasses in greater abundance than the introduced exotic, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis).
5. Maintain trees and shrubs to approximate their current distribution, with the exception of cottonwood trees along the artificial drainage ditches.
6. Adjust management if it appears to be responsible for significant reductions in any of the five special species (ranked B3).
7. Use special treatments as advisable to reduce sweetclover (Melilotus spp.) and state-listed noxious weeds on the preserve.
The major constraints on fire management with intentional burning are the large size of the preserve and high value private buildings near the preserve. Public misunderstanding of fire management has been an impediment in the past. It is important to burn when winds will not carry smoke into sensitive areas and to explain fire management to local residents. These units require more crew and equipment and more secure firebreaks than most other smaller prairie preserves in the state.
6. SCHEDULE:
Year I II III IV V
1 S/F 2 May S/F S/F 3 May S/F 4 (May) S/F 5 S/F S/F 6 S/F S/F 7 S/F 8 S/F S/F 9 S/F S/F 10 S/F 11 S/F S/F etc.
7. RATIONALE:
The fire schedule calls for burning on a three year rotation, with burns conducted in either spring or fall (S/F). Fire management may slip up to two years behind schedule before failing the fire frequency objective. Initially, a different treatment is assigned to Unit I. The two or three successive May burns in Unit I are intended to set back the exotic Kentucky bluegrass (see Justification). There is large old field in the eastern parts of units III and IV, but annual burning would not be helpful there because of low productivity. Other disturbed areas in the site are not significant enough to warrant special recovery efforts with fire treatments.
Spring burning can be any time from snowmelt through about mid May. Fall burning is usually any time after the first hard frost, but preferably after leaf drop of woody vegetation. Fire timing may be narrowed if exotic or shrub species are observed to become problems (see Justification).
Very little information is known on the fire responses of the site's element species, with the exception of prairie chickens (see Justification). Loggerhead shrikes prefer low shrubs mixed in open prairie. The normal patchiness of burns and the three year fire interval will probably provide sufficient low shrubs for the species.
No fire effects data are available for Orobanche fasciculata, Tofieldia glutinosa, or Spartina gracilis. Information is available on Spartina pectinata which suggests how S. Gracilis may respond to fire.
Hadley (1970) found S. pectinata to have 15 times greater weight per m2 in spring burned plots compared to unburned controls. Pemble et al. (1973) showed flowering by S. pectinata to be stimulated by spring burning. This unpublished study was conducted on a tract adjacent to Bluestem Prairie. Kirsch and Kruse (1973) reported a decline in S. pectinata following burning. Thus, two of three studies show a positive effect.
The assumption is that periodic fall and spring burns, generally recommended for tallgrass prairie management, will be appropriate for these members of the tallgrass community (see Justification).
8. OTHER VEGETATION MANAGEMENT:
The objectives call for maintaining unit to unit variation in vertical structure but no specifications to increase structural diversity within units. There are two ways in which this may he considered in the future.
The greater prairie chicken prefers low stature and low litter areas for courtship displays in spring. This is not provided except if units are burned the previous fall. Prairie chickens tend to go off the preserve onto adjacent cultivated and grazed fields for courtship behavior. They may be encouraged to stay on Bluestem Prairie by localized mowing or fall burning. If done, this would have no major effect on the scheduled burning program.
Variation in plant structure within units is increased by light to moderate grazing by large herbivores. At present there seems to be no compelling benefit from this and it would probably favor introduced and weedy native species.
Haying is not considered an optional alternative to fire, but could be used as a contingency if burning becomes temporarily impossible within 5 year intervals due to constraints.
Especially wide perimeter firebreaks are prepared as a fire control measure, but this has no effect on the burning program. Spot herbicide treatment of certain weeds, such as leafy spurge, likewise has no effect on prescribed burning.
The biennial sweetclover (Melilotus spp.) is a problem in Bluestem Prairie. No solution is at hand but mowing late first year plants or second year plants may be utilized to reduce the problem. This might affect fuels for burning, but should require only minor adjustments in scheduling fires.
REFERENCES*:
Dziadyk, B. and G. K. Clambey. 1983. Floristic composition of plant
communities in a western Minnesota Tallgrass Prairie. In Proc. 7th N.
Amer. Prairie Conference, C. L. Kucera (ed.), pp. 45-54.
Hadley, E. B. 1970. Net productivity and burning responses of native
eastern North Dakota prairie communities. Amer. Midl. Nat. 84: 121-135.
Kantrud, H. A. 1981. Grazing intensity effects on the breeding avifauna of
North Dakota native grasslands. Can. Field Nat. 95(4): 404-417.
Kirsch, L.M. and A.D. Kruse. 1973. Prairie fires and wildlife. Proc. Tall
Timbers Fire Ecol. Conf. 12:289-303.
Kirsch, L. M., H. F. Duebbert, and A. D. Kruse. 1978. Grazing and haying
effects on habitats of upland nesting birds. Trans. No. Amer. Wildl.
Nat. Res. Conf. 43: 486-497.
Minnesota DNR. 1980. Management plan for Buffalo River State Park.
Pemble, R. H., G. Van Amberg, and L. Mattson. 1973. Fire and flowers in a
Northwestern Minnesota prairie. Paper presented to the 41st Meeting,
Minnesota Academy of Science. Unpublished. Copy in MRO/TNC library.
Weaver, J. E. and N. W. Rowland. 1952. Effects of excessive natural mulch
on development, yield, and structure of native grassland. Bot. Gaz.
114: 1-19.
* Copies of each are in TNC MRO literature files.
SITE: Bluestem Prairie #: COUNTY, STATE: Clay Co., MN
PROTECTION STATUS: Owned by TNC, leased to state as Scientific & Natural
Area.
QUALIFIED FIRE LEADER(s): Jeff Weigel
SOURCES OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE (location, phone):
Fire: Glyndon 218/498-0100
Medical: Moorhead 218/293-7744
PERMITS REQUIRED, SOURCE***
STATE POLLUTION CONTROL: Open burning: Ron Swenson,
612/296-7300, Roseville, MN.
STATE FORESTRY: Burn, Dist. Forester, 218/732-3309 or
218/299-5041, Park Rapids, MN.
COUNTY PERMIT: Clay Co. Planning Dept., Jack Frederick,
218/233-2781, Moorhead, MN.
LOCAL PERMIT: None required, notify Riverton Twsp.
Board: Jepson & Beckett, see below.
OTHER: None
NOTIFICATIONS***:
FIRE DEPARTMENTS: Glyndon, Chief Jerry Green (H)218/498-2244,
Fire # 498-0100
STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT: State Patrol 218/237-7756
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT: Clay Co. Sheriff, Moorhead, 218/236-8181
OTHER OFFICIALS: DNR Conservation Officer, Tom Campbell, Hawley
218/483-4241; Denton Jepson, 498-2895 and Everett Beckett
(h) 498-2516, (w) 233-5787. Media: Hawley Herald 218/483-3306,
Fargo Forum 701/235-7311, Dorothy Collins.
(Attach a list of neighbors, other contacts to make before burning. )
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Fire Size Total/ Target Fire * Legal
Unit Burnable Dates & Time Description
I 240 acres/200 acres May for next NW 1/4 & S 1/2
2-3 yr. of NE 1/4, Sec. 15.
II 320 acres/270 acres Oct. or Apr. SW 1/4 & SE
1/4, Sec. 15.
III 420 acres/400 acres Oct. or Apr. In E 1/2 Sec.
22 & W 1/2 Sec. 23.
IV 220 acres/200 acres Oct. or Apr. In E 1/2 Sec.
22 & W 1/2 Sec. 23.
*See Site Fire Plan.
All burns start after 2 pm, are completed by 9:30 pm.
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Fire
Unit Major Fuels and Fuel-related Objectives:
I IV Mostly tall grass, about 2-5 tons/acre. Reduce
litter by 70%, prevent new encroachment of
woody shrubs/trees. Flame length and rate of
spread predicted to be 8-15 ft. and about 300
ft/min. at hot end of prescription, 4 to 8 ft.
and about 90 ft/min. at cool end of
prescription. This is based on calculations
with T1-59 modified by experience.
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Fire Temper- Relative Wind Speed MPH/ Days since rain
Unit ature Humidity Direction* of fuel conditions
I 55-70 30-50% 5-15 W, 2 or more days
SW or S best since rain
II same same 5-15 S best same
III same same 5-15 W or SW same
best
IV same same 5-15 W, SW, W same
best
*Direction preferred which minimizes smoke in direction
of roads and houses, but this is not a
condition of burning.
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Equipment Items, Number Required. Use attachment if more space needed.
Fire Pump Drip Torch Tank Weather
Unit Cans Swatters Torch Fuel Truck Radios Kit
I-IV #6+ #4+ #2 #10 gal #1 #3 #1
DNR unit
Truck borrowed from DNR. All other equipment - TNC.
* Water available at State Park HQ.
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Fire Crew Size, Firebreak
Unit Qualifications Specifications
I 8 people, see TNC guidelines Mow and rake 30'
wide or road
II 8 people, see TNC guidelines same
III 10 people, see TNC guidelines Mow and rake 30'
wide
IV 8 people, see TNC guidelines Mow and rake 30'
wide
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Fire Expected fire
Unit Hazards on and close to Fire Unit Duration
I Heavy fine fuels; smoke on roads, 3 to 5 hrs.
in houses; fire in adjacent
fields and buildings.
II same 3 to 5 hrs.
III same 3 to 6 hrs.
IV same 2 to 4 hrs.
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SOURCE OF CREW: 6 TNC, 2 or more volunteers
ESTIMATED COST OF FIRE WORK: About $1,000 per yr. for crew and travel.
ARE ANY EXCEPTIONS REQUESTED TO NATURE CONSERVANCY GUIDELINES AND STANDARD
PROCEDURES?: Yes
SPECIFY: Firebreak specification is below Guidelines standard.
Attach checklist for reference just prior to burning.
Attach map showing firebreaks and major features of unit(s).
PLAN PREPARED BY: Jeff Weigel DATE: 20 Sept. 1983
PLAN APPROVED BY: DATE:
IS APPROVAL BY REGIONAL ATTORNEY REQUIRED?: No
IF YES:
PLAN APPROVED BY: DATE:
LIST OF NEIGHBORS, OTHER CONTACTS TO MAKE BEFORE BURNING
1. Vernon Anderson - lives on east boundaryFor supplementing crew:
2. Al Arneson, Sr. - owns land to south
3. Al Arneson, Jr. - owns land to south
4. Everett "Bud" Beckett - lives west of tract, on Town Board 498-2516 (h), 233-5787 or 233-1561 (w) CONTACT ALL BURNING DAYS.
5. Don/Lois Vincent - live along tract, helpful neighbors.
6. Gary/Judy Miller - live west of tract, friendly, TNC members.
7. Steve Taves - Turkey farmer to north, 498-0161 (h) CONTACT ALL BURNING DAYS.
8. Devitt Farm - live along tract - may be new resident - check
9. Denton/Theresa Jepson - Town Board Chairman
10. Gerald Andel - Town Board Member
11. Lynelle Boone - Town Board Secretary -works at BRSP.
1. Dr. Richard Pemble, Moorhead State University (w)218/236-2572.
2. Dr. Gerald Van Amberg, Concordia College (w)218/299-3520.
3. Dr. Gary Clambey, North Dakota State University.
PERMITS REQUIRED
1. PERMIT FOR OPEN BURNING. This is a two page form on
letterhead of the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency (PCA). Permit is valid when all required
information is filled in and it is signed by an
authorized PCA representative. PCA requires legal
description of areas to be burned to be on or
attached to the permit. Numerous sites burned over
a several week to several month period may be
covered in one permit. TNC generally receives
permits from the State Office, though permit
authority also resides in PCA Regional Offices and
certain county officials.
2. PERMIT TO BURN. This is a printed form about 4 by 5
inches issued by the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources. It must be signed by a Forestry
Officer or Township Fire Warden and by the
Permittee, and be in possession at the time of
burning. These are usually issued for only one site
and a limited time interval, but more inclusive
permits have been obtained. The permit has been
issued by Paul Rundell, DNR Region I Resource
Coordinator, Bemidji, but may also be obtained at
the Park Rapids District Forestry Office.
3. COUNTY PERMIT. This permit needs to be picked up at
Clay County Planning Dept., 2nd floor Clay County
Courthouse, 807 N. 11th, Moorhead. This permit has
to be taken to the fire chief, signed, and
returned. In the past it has been mailed back. When
picking up permits,b e sure to get for other Clay
Co. tracts.
NOTIFICATIONS
Notifications and neighbor contacts require a large effort (see attached list and map of contacts which should be continually updated). It is very important that they are done, and that good records are kept. Steve Taves, the turkey farmer north of the RR tracks, must be contacted prior to all burns so he can activate ventilation systems in his barns. Everett "Bud" Beckett has asked that he also be contacted prior to all burns. Call him at work if necessary. Contact the District Forester if CNR permit is obtained elsewhere.
CREW DEVELOPMENT
Backfire along downwind firebreak burn to 100-200 foot width. Complete with headfire. Ignitors and holding crew should watch for spot fires and perform preliminary mop-up. After igniting is completed, double-check perimeter for sleepers or smoldering spots. One crew member assigned to weather/fire monitoring. Crew may be needed along roads if smoke obscures visibility.
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/habitat/burning/appenda.htm
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