We have some family land in south Texas and it is time to start burning the place yearly. We have never burnt it and therefore don't have a program in place. I am looking for someone to help get us started and on the right track. I know my tpwd biologist would be able to help but they are always so busy.

We really need someone to:
1. Help us plan out the long term program
2. Help us plan the burn
3. Someone to be there to show us how to burn the first couple of times.

Anyone have any suggestions on where to look?

First, check the map:

First, prescribed fires do not fall under burn ban restrictions. I'm not saying that it's wise, but a properly executed P-fire is pretty safe. Or as safe as fire can be.

Here's a list of burn associations that should be able to help.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/land/technical_guidance/burn/

There may be a local prescribed fire co-op that can help.
There are lots of state and federal grants that will pay 50% or even 100% of the burn cost.

Being from South Texas, you might want to check out Chaparral Wildlife Management Area. I attended their burn management seminar a few years ago, and it has lot's of good information for the newbie.

Extension Service is putting on a workshop in February in Sonora. 3 or 4 days for about 400 bucks.

Glad to hear you want to burn. There's some good points on here already.

*I would go ahead and talk to your local TPWD guy. He might be busy, but increased prescribed burning is one of our 5 big points this year. So you might peak his interest. Also, he/she might have access to a burn trailer with lots of fire equipment. There are at least 2 TPWD burn trailers, and they have been trying to get more use out of them (purchased through donations). I know I will be hosting 1 (maybe 2) prescribed fire workshops this year (emphasis on Crosstimbers and blackland burning).
*Check with the NRCS, TFS and AgriLife about what they may be doing on burning in your area. Note-with the cost recovery program currently in place, most programs with a A&M system agency is going to cost more.
*The Chap does a really good fire program.

I'm a big fan of prescribed burning.

YES to prescribed burn. Start with your local TPWD biologist and TPWD programs. Good advice above for other agencies and burn cooperatives. Good luck.

The TDA website has some good info to help you get started...

http://www.texasagriculture.gov/Home/ProductionAgriculture/PrescribedBurnProgram.aspx

Also in regards to the burn bans, it really depends on what county you are in and what your elected officials views are about prescribed burning as to whether you will be permitted to burn or not. The link below is a list of folks (myself included) that have the proper experience and credentials for legally conducting burns during burn bans. I highly recommend using one of these guys for the first burn. This is not something you want to get wrong and the 1st burn is always the hardest, they get much safer and easier to manage fuel loads after the initial one. These guys can help you build a burn plan that will fit your desired outcome, it's what they do for a living and most are very willing to help.

http://www.texasagriculture.gov/Portals/0/Reports/PIR/certified_commercial_burn_managers.html

Edit: my links were wrong at first

[This message has been edited by hammerstump (edited 1/1/2012 2:41p).]

[This message has been edited by hammerstump (edited 1/1/2012 2:42p).]

ursus:
Can you advise how to get in contact with you for your workshops?

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First, prescribed fires do not fall under burn ban restrictions.

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they sure do.

Now Certified Prescribed Burners can burn under burn ban.

Some counties may let you burn with a burn plan but you still have to get permission.

here is a site to find a certified burner.

http://www.texasagriculture.gov/Home/ProductionAgriculture/PrescribedBurnProgram/FindaBurnManager.aspx

You don't need to be certified to burn yourself, find a short course and take it before you try it yourself.

Extension Service and USDA NRCS can also be good resources for help and info.

Best tool you can use for management.




[This message has been edited by BQ_90 (edited 1/1/2012 2:31p).]

Typically what is the best time of year to burn? Could someone describe ideal conditions?

I just sent an email to my tpwd biologist so hopefully he will have time and can help us get started.

http://fireecology.okstate.edu/patch_burning__researchareas__ok.html

very good site on burning

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Typically what is the best time of year to burn? Could someone describe ideal conditions?

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It all depends on what the desired outcome is. Generally if your simply trying to control juniper, winter time when the grass is brown and dormant roughly November til late March. That however is not the best time if your managing for whitetail as it can kill alot of your forbs etc... Conditions also greatly depend on your desired outcome and fuel loads, most of my burns right now are just juniper control with about 2500lbs per acre fuel loads so i'm looking for a 10mph wind with humidity values ranging from 35%-55%. I have had burns with very light fuel loads or large juniper where I was looking for 20+mph and humidity values below 35% to achieve the goal but those require alot of planning and prep work.

All mostly good advice listed from everyone above.

Also depending on where your property is at, you may want to call the Nature Conservancy they have a few projects working with land owners to do burns, and the Office in Victoria has a land owner cache that you rent some gear from dirt dirt cheap.

So if your in a region with TNC wouldn't hurt to send them a email or call as well.

Also you can contact a Regional Fire Coordinator with the Texas Forest Service for your region, and they can probably shot in the right direction.

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It all depends on what the desired outcome is. Generally if your simply trying to control juniper, winter time when the grass is brown and dormant roughly November til late March. That however is not the best time if your managing for whitetail as it can kill alot of your forbs etc... Conditions also greatly depend on your desired outcome and fuel loads, most of my burns right now are just juniper control with about 2500lbs per acre fuel loads so i'm looking for a 10mph wind with humidity values ranging from 35%-55%. I have had burns with very light fuel loads or large juniper where I was looking for 20+mph and humidity values below 35% to achieve the goal but those require alot of planning and prep work.

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What kind of mortality rate on you getting on those winter burn plot for juniper? Little bit of a fire nerd I guess lol.

RB. I would think winter/dormancy times would be the best. i you wait till ithe spring your gonna burn/kill the spring green up. although if your doing small areas at a time the impact wouldn't be substantial.
I will be burn certified after spring break and will help if a can.

Also if it is within a few hours of travel for me, I'd lend a hand. if I'm not on a fire assignment already.

Check with your local NRCS office. They have guys who have forgotten more about prescribed burning than most folks know. You can also use the EQIP program for cost-share money as well as get technical assistance and manpower from the NRCS.

Depending on the county, the County Judge can issue a waiver for prescribed burning under an NRCS approved burn plan - but you had better follow it to the letter.

HammerStump--

Can you email me at "rb85cj7 at gmail dot com"

I would like to talk to you on the phone about getting started if you have time.

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What kind of mortality rate on you getting on those winter burn plot for juniper? Little bit of a fire nerd I guess lol.

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As you can imagine it varies from place to place, I don't have the time or man power to get precise values on mortality rates so I'll give you my guesses ha.

The places I mostly burn have all been previously cleared by hydraulic shears and then reseeded with a native grass seed mix. We then wait 3-5yrs for the needles to fall off the piles and the regrowth juniper to come back, so most of these places we have on average juniper under 12" tall and fuel loads not including brush piles 2000-3000lbs per acre. Burn areas are usually only average about 80 acres each some up to 350 acres and as little as 10 acres.

With as much fuel load and continuity as we are generally able to have we can get mortality rates better than 85-90% (my educated guess). Obviously its easier to get a high mortality rate on a 10 acre pasture than it is on the 350 acre place so there is a lot of variation but for the most part we are able to get very high kill.

Thanks for the reply hammer!

Yeah that is a great mortality rate!!! I was curious if you were using mechanical treatment in connection with the prescribed burn as well. And you answered that for me Thanks!!