NWS issued Weather Fire Watch

Earlier in the week, forecasts had favorable r.h.'s for the burn.  That's changed now with potential humidities below 30.  WATCH OUT!!

The preferred R.H.'s you want are between 40 and 60.  

*Think of it as how much water moisture is in the air.  If water moisture is up in the air while you're trying to burn, the fire reacts slower.  If water moisture is low, the fire has a tendency to "rip" through fuels.  The fire moves very fast.

If the fire is below 40%:

This is always a risk.  The reason for the NWS to give out a fire watch is a warning for fire departments, land managers and communities.  Fire dept and land managers will be on alert.  Communities will need to be weary of things like throwing out cigarettes, lighting fireworks, or having a bon fire near an open grassland...

The burn boss on a prairie burn usually always takes the R.H. before the burn out in the middle of the prairie.  Then the crew will conduct a test burn to see how the fire will act.  As the fire continues, the B.B. will conduct a field test every 30 min for r.h. or as he/she sees fit according to the forecast.  R.H.'s tend to be high early and late.  Middle of the day has a tendency to have the lowest readings.

Communication is always key.  While an igniter is lighting, (or anyone on the burn) notices a shift in fire activity, the B.B. will be notified, and the B.B will assess the situation.  If everything needs to come to a halt, the easiest way to get the fire out, is to circle the fire around to burn itself out.  

*When rounding a fire out:  The crew will set a back fire (light against the wind while the fire creeps forward) with enough area burned off the 2 igniters will begin to circle around the fire, and start a head fire (lighting fire with the wind) for the fire to meet up with itself and extinguish itself out.

If the fire is above 60%:

The fire will be slow and potentially won't get hot enough (produce enough B.T.U.'s) the goal for your prairie burn.  

*This will be talked more about later in detail.  Goals may include stimulate native seed, stimulate invasive seed (to rid the seed bank), injure invasive plants, rid dead plant material/shading, adding nutrients to the soil, stimulate growth in spring.

Another issue with a slow fire and not producing enough heat, is smoke management.  If you don't get the fire hot enough, the smoke won't rise enough, and you'll create havoc amongst concerned citizens of your community with smoke everywhere.

Attached is a pic I took when we burned around a wetland with phragmites and cattails.  These get extremely hot.  Every now and then you'll catch a picture with the "fire monster" within the fire.  You'll see what I mean in this picture as you can see a head, arms, and legs...Fire Monster!!!