Prescribed Fire Tips And Techniques (683)

[@genekrause]

I learned 10X more from your video than from the MDC seminar that I attended. Thanks!

[@loganracer16]

Now this is the kind of Rx fire video I’ve been waiting for! Thanks Dr Woods!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Logan!

[@robertcardwell6019]

Grant, I've been in the fire service for 45 plus years. I have been involved in many wildfires as well as conducted a lot of prescribed Burns. I think this video was very informative and the only thing that I would like to add would be eye protection with goggles and a hard hat or helmet. Keep up the videos and thanks

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Robert - Thanks! I should have mentioned eye protection. You may notice I wore my Wiley X safety sunglasses - love Wiley X - not sponsored by them - they just are quality products.

[@ElectricDanielBoone]

The areas vegetation sure needs to be spares enough so the fire stays close to the ground. Out here in the west we have a huge problem with too much fuel in the woods. Good work out there!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks!

[@TomBTerrific]

Appreciate the sharing of knowledge. It will take me a few more learning experiences before I’m feeling confident enough to give it a go. Thanks for sharing!

[@Ghillie-bp6tl]

I waited 2 years for this video. Please give a 2 and 4 week green up update, Dr Grant!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks and we'll try!

[@Slatari]

Great video that gives every day folks a good idea. You might discuss the difference between hardwood areas/low complexity with mixed coniferous/high complexity areas. It’s just not the same “out west” as “back east”!

[@victorandrews9790]

Great video Dr Woods!

[@midwesternoutdoorsandnatur8272]

One of my favorite late winter activities. With our hills and snow cover it’s usually Mid/late March

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Later can be better!

[@sonsofthunder3100]

Great video! I have some small patches I need to burn, this gave some good information to help me accomplish this in a safe, controlled way. Trying to make the field days in March, if I can get the time off work.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Great! I look forward to visiting then!

[@scottschaeffer8920]

Woodland burns though incredibly beneficial, are slow and laborious. Prairie burns are like a muscle car. Nice clip!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Scott -I agree!

[@kirkwann9675]

Appreciate the great information!! another awesome video!! Have you made a video on wildlife water hole or pond construction? Would be interested in your advice.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Kirk - Thanks for the kind words! We haven't addressed creating water holes because there's ample water for whitetails throughout most of their range and it's rarely an attraction that produces enough benefits to justify the work. Other habitat improvement projects often produce better results.

[@mattreynolds792]

Love the videos can't wait to see the spring turkey hunting videos

[@GrowingDeerTV]

We will be chasing toms in Florida in three weeks!

[@jerryhill7065]

Hey grant I was wonder what kinds of milo you plant for your winter and spring food plots i was on green cover I was interested in by some seed form them but you say plant milo but never specify what exact kind of milo you use from green cover thx great vid

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Jerry - The milo varieties I use are in the Summer Release blend from GreenCoverFoodPlots.com.

[@smokeeater8387]

Excellent video brother. I do a lot of burns and this was spot on. You probably won’t kill many snakes with a back fire, they usually have a favorite hole nearby or can scooch on out of there in time, a head fire could be more troublesome for them though👍🇺🇸

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks and I agree!

[@keithhimstedt6870]

Awesome video Grant thanks for all your advice. I would love to volunteer and help with a burn. How soon after a burn can you plant GreenCover? I have a field I want to burn and plant but don't know if that will hinder my deer season that year.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Keith - If you live close enough, we hope to burn this Thursday! Seeds can be planted as soon as the soil cools and there's a rain in the forecast. Areas burned this time of year will be fully vegetated by deer season unless there's a massive drought, etc.

[@edwardclark2695]

Wish I was living the dream like you guys. God bless.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Edward - We are blessed!

[@jamesmartin7282]

Fascinating! Thanks for showing this. I've been wondering how we might use fire on our Michigan 225 acre hunting property.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks and give Rx fire a try!

[@conradyoder6897]

Good info! We plan to do a small area of hardwoods this year for the first time. Could you show this area after spring green up? Would be interesting to see the difference.

[@conradyoder6897]

Also, what brand of drip torch do you prefer?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Conrad - We try to film there again. However, as I mentioned, there won't be much greenup because there will be a full canopy and very limited sun reaching the forest floor.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

I believe I purchased the last ones from Cascade Fire Supply - but I typically price shop for drip torches.

[@collegeguy14]

Can’t help be notice the drip torch spitting like that. Only time I’ve ever had that happen is when the gas mixture is a little Rich. Hit that 80/20 mix I guarantee you cut down your torch wanting to shoot flames out the end. Don’t you think that red oak was most likely a stump sprout and that was another fork of the tree that had die off in the past instead of damage. Enjoyed it Dr Woods. We’ve been burning in ky recently have 30 acres left to do then down to middle ga for 100 some odd acre fire, before the end of quail season maybe take a few birds home.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Sounds like you are doing great work! The scar may have been from a stump sprout - but the shape (cat face) is very similar to a fire scar.

[@davidj.3583]

Great video as always!! Question about prescribed burns. We have a few patches of Huckleberries on our place. Will they come back after burning or is it best to avoid burning in those areas? Thank you. 😊

[@GrowingDeerTV]

I don't deal with Huckleberries much. Blackberries grow back after dormant season fires. If in doubt, create a fire line around the berries!

[@elbomberochaqueno6666]

Very good video. very well explained. I have a question. How much time on average must pass before they burn the same place again? every 3 to 5 years?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

There are lots of variable but I try to burn every 2 to 3 years and alternate between late winter and late summer burns.

[@elbomberochaqueno6666]

@GrowingDeer.tv thank you.

[@victorcampa5397]

Good job!

[@justinbellefly1280]

I’ve always been taught when putting out the drip torch you smothered it out my using your gloves and not to blow it out because it can blow fire into a unwanted area.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Justin - I shouldn't put my face so close to the torch. I have a bad habit of blowing out torches like birthday candles. I do try to blow toward the burned areas.

[@waynegalyen6176]

Do you have to have a burn permit or should you ask your fire department if they want to practice

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Different states have different regulations about prescribed fire. No burn permit is needed where I live in Missouri.

[@mattcampbell3402]

Question for Grant: in the video, your forest floor is nearly clean except for leaves. I my aged forest, we have lots of dead brush, 1” dia to full dead trees. Also the forest floor may be airy with roots a foot think. I could “prep” for a fire like yours for years! What do you suggest to expedite development? Thanks for the video.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Matt - this depends on how many mature trees you are willing to risk damaging.

[@nolanbillings8426]

Great video Grant! I’m am looking forward to using prescribed fire this year for the first time. What is your thinking in not doing TSI in that area?

[@collegeguy14]

Cost money, can only do so much at any given time. Look for government cost shares

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Nolan - That area is on the southern end of The Proving Grounds where - the portion where I'll move when I sell the northern portion. Once I'm totally focused on that area, I will be doing LOTS of TSI! I'm very excited to start that project!

[@JayN4GO]

Man I’d love to spend a few days with ya. I need to burn about 1 acre but don’t have access to equipment there. I’m not versed enough on fire lines to go at it myself. May have to use a weedeater and burn 10ft at a time.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Jay - Some state agencies and the NRCS rent backpack blowers, drip torches, etc. Or - borrow a leaf blower from a buddy of leaves need to be removed to create a fire break. You are welcome to come join us for a burn!

[@solorevolutionist799]

Hey coming from a coloradian who is getting into this stuff, what fuel load should i use and what are some tips for drier climates?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Be careful! The average humidity in western states is much lower than in Missouri and east. Have very good fire breaks and do not use Rx fire without an experienced crew.

[@solorevolutionist799]

@@GrowingDeerTV Thank you for this advice! I recently did a burn that was 20x20 acres. The firebreaks were atleast 7-10ft wide and the wind was only at 7mph. I am already seeing some natives starting to sprout up.

[@rydaddy2867]

Duluth Trading Company Firehose Pants; that's my fire-resistant clothing of choice!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Heavy Cotton? I've never seen them.

[@josephwilkins3770]

Grant what if the underbrush is so thick you can't get in to thin the pine trees can you still do the fire

[@GrowingDeerTV]

If the underbrush is that thick the soil is likely shaded and fire may not carry well.

[@joerome8882]

What’s your view on pine trees- good to get rid of them all ?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Pines managed well with an open canopy and native forbs and grasses in the understory can be great deer and turkey habitat!

[@joshsinglefooter]

Would like to see a video on the bigger fire you guys are going to set! Mr. GRANT..... Is a G!. Thanks growing deer.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

We plan to film one of the heavy fuel burns we'll be doing soon. Stay tuned!

[@billhickman4826]

Ready to see the video where you burn the big track with the dead cedars.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Bill - we are just waiting on good conditions!

[@zackgrogg6733]

Good Job

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Zack!

[@outdoorwisconsin1580]

For the X amount of acres, you burned in this video how long was the process from start to end?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Creating the fire break took two guys about 4 hours and we burned it very slowly to accomplish our goals - which also took about 4+ hours - for 10- acres.

[@wrenfield4156]

About to burn for my burn certification, and the information you shared was very informative and useful, thank you!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Have fun!

[@Kurtdog63]

There are wood mills that will buy large cedar to make wood chips for animal bedding.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Kurt - Yes - at least close to me there are.

[@Isaacmantx]

As we rolled into February, i planned to finish breaks and wait for good conditions to burn…. Instead, we entered a fire ban.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Issac - You might continue making breaks as the weather conditions will change and you'd be ready!

[@clintjohnson7023]

So do ya"ll do control burns for your customers.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Unfortunately, we don't. We struggle to have enough time to complete the burns at our place.

[@kokadjooutdoors620]

I do wildland fire also nice video good info in it

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Dotty - Great! Where are you a firefighter? I used to work for the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) in Nevada and chased smokers there.

[@kokadjooutdoors620]

I work with the Maine Forest service been to several states and Canada fighting fire

[@tommyhunter1817]

I LOVE to burn the woods!!! However I have a terrible time getting leaf litter to burn good.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Tommy - if fine fuels like leaves don't burn, the humidity/moisture is too high.

[@The70srockfan]

Will a prescribed fire kill those 1-3” saplings that seemed very present in the stand of timber you were burning?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Alex - Most of them won't be killed by the low intensity backing fire. The fire may have girdled a few of them which will result in the stem dying but not the root system. Therefore the roots will produce sprouts.

[@admillerr]

What is the legal aspect to doing this?? Or who do let know your going to burn

[@justinbellefly1280]

Usually you will need a permit issued by a state agency. Here in Minnesota we get our burn permits from the MN Dept of Natural Resources. Once you get a permit you will have to call in before you burn. That number is usually listed on the permit you received.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Aaron - Fortunately, in Missouri no permit is needed! Each state has different regulations. In many of the northeastern states, it's illegal to use Rx fire - which is a shame!

[@ronyoco]

All we ask is that you call the local fire dispatch center (non emergency number) and let them know that you will have a controlled burn. Important details to include is address, and approximate acreage. Call back and let them know when you are finished or no longer on site. The amount of calls the local fire departments have to investigate due to passerbys calling 911 is probably 20 percent of there calls. If dispatch knows you are doing a controlled burn they can save you and the fire department a lot of frustration.

[@stevebrown3408]

Here I think it would be to wet and not get a good leave burn NE Ar.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Steve - Always wise to wait for good conditions!

[@scottschaeffer8920]

The Turkeys will be in there shortly, feeding on the invertebrates-they love woodland burns! So do I.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Yes! I agree!

[@mel_2506]

Wont be long there will be some native groceries for the herd...

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Mel - not many as result of this fire due to a closed canopy forest. However, we'll be burning where we cut cedars soon and that will be a native vegetation feeding mecca!

[@arronlockyer5424]

I hate snakes. Keep burning them...lol

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Ha! We burn for other reasons but fire will remove a few snakes

[@jamesmckay9966]

You talk too much.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

James - Sorry - Hope you learned something!