Pontotoc Ridge Prescribed Burn Association

04/20/2026

03/24/2026

NEVER FORCE A FIRE: this morning we made the tough decision to retreat and wait for a better day instead of continue with a burn we had scheduled. This is the side of prescribed burning no one hardly ever sees but moments like these are some of the most valuables lessons burners can have; when to say no and walk away.

We will get this unit burned soon and it will be very easy with the right weather conditions. Unfortunately those conditions were not present today.

See y’all on the next one!

03/18/2026

Tackle invasives, plan burns, and tune grazing with expert, field-tested advice for healthier rangelands, cattle, and wildlife habitat.

03/16/2026

Please join us this Friday - Salt Creek Burn Association!

03/16/2026

Have an extra recoil starter in your toolbox for your pump engines. These ropes eventually fail. They are easy to repair. I’ll throw in a link in first comment to a YouTube video showing how to replace the pull rope.

03/15/2026

Today we burned the unit we had planned to use as the demonstration burn for the Fighting Fire with Fire Workshop held in December.

03/14/2026

The power of partnerships:

This is what it looks like. It’s landowners coming together for a common goal: to make the land healthy again. For us it’s the Arbuckle watershed. Your watershed. The plumes you saw throughout the mountains today? Wouldn’t be possible without extensive planning, neighbor communication, and the hard work of those who traveled to donate their time and equipment, to restore thousands of acres just today alone, throughout the Arbuckle Mountains.

If this is a scene you wish your property could have, chances are one of your neighbors does too. Talk to them. Shoot us a message. Message our partner organization; Arbuckle Rangeland Restoration Association (ARRA). Start the planning process now, for this summer, or spring 2027. Help us, help you, help the land.

03/04/2026

Congratulations Bill and thank you for all you’ve done to support and promote prescribed fire.

02/21/2026

01/12/2026

Reminder: Thursday Evening
Please RSVP
Zoom link below.
Annual Membership Meeting for the Pontotoc Ridge PBA and Johnston County PBA will be held Thursday, January 29th at 6:30 PM at the Connerville Community (Senior) Center in Connerville, Oklahoma, with dinner provided for attendees by the Oka’ Institute. Anyone who is a current member, has a prescribed burn planned, or is interested in prescribed fire is encouraged to attend and get involved in local PBA activities supporting safe, landowner-led burning in southern Oklahoma.chickasaw+4

Event details:
• What: Joint Annual Membership Meeting – Pontotoc Ridge PBA & Johnston County PBA.
• When: Thursday, January 29th, 6:30 PM.
• Where: Connerville Community Center / Connerville Senior Citizens Center, Connerville, OK (along N Highway 377 in Johnston County). Use the shared Google Maps link for exact navigation.
• Food: Dinner provided for all attendees.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vvX9ZbVqE7BAfeXJ8
How to RSVP:
Please RSVP for meal count using one of the following:
• Scan the QR code included on the meeting notice or flyer (if you received a printed or digital version).
• Call: 580-559-5151 or 580-559-5968 for RSVP or questions.
• Email: [email protected] with your name, contact info, and number attending.

Who should attend:
• Current PBA members in Pontotoc, Johnston, and surrounding counties.
• Landowners with a prescribed burn already planned this season.
• Landowners and partners who are interested in prescribed fire, even if they have never burned before.

Why this meeting matters:
• There are over 80 burn units planned, totaling close to 11,000 acres in southern Oklahoma, reflecting strong interest and need for coordinated prescribed fire work.
• Prescribed Fire Coordinators receive multiple calls each week for new burns, so active, engaged PBAs are essential.
• PBAs help landowners overcome barriers like personnel, equipment, training, and confidence, while improving safety and risk management on each burn.
How you can be involved
• Learn about membership expectations, training opportunities, and upcoming burns in Pontotoc Ridge and Johnston County PBAs.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9891970380?pwd=am9NVkpwOW80MldFYllFa3BwNTlPUT09

Meeting ID: 989 197 0380
Passcode: 1mExtG

One tap mobile
+13462487799,,9891970380 #,,,,*801921 # US (Houston)
+12532158782,,9891970380 #,,,,*801921 # US (Tacoma)

Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 989 197 0380
Passcode: 801921
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbZzoTEHQG

01/06/2026

What land management tasks are important to do in January?

- Forest Thinning With Herbicides: Thinning trees can benefit wildlife, livestock & timber. Apply herbicides using hack & spray, girdle & spray, basal bark and cut stump techniques.

- Prepare Bird Nest Boxes: Cavity nesters like bluebirds, purple martins and wood ducks choose nest sites in late winter. Clean out existing nest boxes, replace shavings and maintain predator guards.

- Strip Disking for Forbs: Native broadleaf plants (forbs) benefit dove, quail, wild turkey, deer and pheasant. Disk in fall or winter to increase native forbs.

- Conduct Dormant Season Burns: Look for available burn days with desired conditions early in the dormant season. This allows for the most opportunities to burn.

Find the factsheet here https://bit.ly/LandPondOSU