Prescribed burn

Often called a controlled burn, a prescribed burn is a natural lands management tool involving fire.

The picture here shows a prescribed burn recently executed by a Missouri Department of Conservation fire crew. What appears to be a road is actually a firebreak line made by disking down to bare soil. During the burn, this line must be manned to assure fire is contained within the prescribed area.

Late winter is the best time to perform most burns. Amphibians, turtles and many beneficial insects are safe underground at this time and baby animals are not present. Burning away thick grass or overgrown woody vegetation is a proven way to stimulate growth of many wildflower species, improve wildlife habitat and reduce near-future fire risk.

Missouri Department of Conservation offers public workshops on prescribed burning for private landowners. More information is available by contacting the MDC Southeast Regional Office, 2302 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or 573-290-5730.

Through the Woods is a weekly nature column by Aaron Horrell. Find this column at semissourian.com to order a reprint of the photo. Find more of Horrell's work at the Painted Wren Gallery in downtown Cape Girardeau.