Oct 13, 2025
It was prescribed burn day at Henry Cowell.
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It was prescribed burn day at Henry Cowell.
Controlled/ prescribed burns are starting to get recognition for being a wildfire prevention tool. In addition to that, I wanted to share a passage about controlled burns in forest settings from LO-TEK, Design by Radical Indigenism by Julia Watson:
"Through fire they release nutrients that were stored in the foliage, fumigate pathogens, fertilize the soil with ash, and leave porous charcoal that increases water absorption."
Using all four elements to grow the perfect berry.
Burning Low Bush Blueberries
After the leaves have fallen in the autumn in the time to spread a thin layer of straw across the field. The plants are dormant, foot traffic will not cause injury. Straw is preferred over hay because the stalks are hollow. In Maine, oat straw is widely used. The hollow stalks allows better air flow resulting in a faster burn. The fuel is consumed before the heat can penetrate deeply into the ground. The burn is done in the spring, before the blueberries have begun to bud, but many weeds have come out of winter dormancy. A few dry days in April and one without a strong wind is all you need. Add a flame to the downwind side, the flames will walk across the field. A few men with backpack sprayers will be able to contain a flare up.
The burning of the low bush berries has several reasons. Weeds can quickly grow to smother out the low bush plants. Burning the field every other year knocks down the weeds. The low bush plants are able to recover because the burn is quick and above the soil surface. Low bush blueberries can propagate by rhisomes. As long as the soil is not cooked, the plants will jump right back up. The ash keeps the soil acidic. The potash promotes rhizome growth. There are some pests which overwinter in the dead top growth of the field. The deeper this thatch layer, the greater their chance of survival. The burn destroys their habitat. The method is quick and economical.
Low bush berries do not bear fruit the first season. It will be another year until those juicy berries show up. It is common practice to burn a field every other year. A 2nd crop is a gamble. The plants will produce, but the weed growth can interfere with harvest and pests can get out of control. A 3rd crop is likely to be miserable and in an overgrown field.
In a fast burn, not all the stems will be destroyed. Many will recover, but will not bear fruit that season.
Congress Hears from California Rancher About Wildfire Resilience
Congress Hears from California Rancher About Wildfire Resilience
The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands discussed wildfire resilience at its most recent meeting. Wildfires in California have been particularly devastating in recent years, burning millions of acres, destroying ecosystems, and emitting millions of metric tons of carbon dioxide. Fifth-generation cattle producer from Butte County, Dave Daley testified…
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Current Barriers to the Expansion of Cultural Burning and Prescribed Fire in California and Recommended Solutions BY: SARA A. CLARK, ANDREW MILLER, AND DON L. HANKINS – FOR THE KARUK TRIBE Do…
Hey, for any Californians out there or people invested in the California wildfire situation, might be good to check this out! With wildfire season proper approaching in about a month, now’s as good a time as ever to explore how to open pathways for tribal and prescribed burnings. I haven’t read the full thing yet- it’s a whopper- but I’m workin my way through.
CalResilient Campaign to Promote Solutions to Mitigate Wildfire Risk
CalResilient Campaign to Promote Solutions to Mitigate Wildfire Risk
The CalResilient campaign that was recently launched is looking to encourage viable solutions to California’s wildfire problems. Wildfires in recent years have taken lives, caused billions of dollars in property damage, and released significant levels of emissions. Sponsored by the California Cattle Council (CCC), the effort is seeking the development of a more fire-resilient future for the…
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A recent study out of Stanford suggests that exposure to wildfire smoke or air pollution can harm children’s immune and cardiovascular systems. But smoke from prescribed burns, which help prevent out-of-control wildfires, is less harmful.
A recent study out of Stanford suggests that exposure to wildfire smoke or air pollution can harm children’s immune and cardiovascular systems. But smoke from prescribed burns, which help prevent out-of-control wildfires, is less harmful.
Registration Available for Grazing and Prescribed Burning Online Workshop
Registration Available for Grazing and Prescribed Burning Online Workshop
An online workshop covering grazing and prescribed burning is coming up next month. Registration information is available onlinefor the one-hour virtual workshop covering two grants related to fire. Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor for San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, Devii Rao explained how those interested can participate in the Grazing and Prescribed Burning for Fire Safety…
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