05/28/2026
Another spring burn season has come to an end for Route 36 PBA. A very windy March and a dry April made it challenging to get fire on the landscape, but we managed to get 3,505 acres burnt in Smith County, most of which happened in the last week of April when weather conditions were finally conducive. We burnt 17 different units, the largest being 640 acres, the smallest being 60 acres. Although we would like to say we had a perfect spring, we did have one small (~5 ac.) spot out, that we were able to get under control quickly with PBA equipment.
PBA membership continues to grow and expand, and so does the impact on the local landscape. If you have any questions, whether it be about the effect of fire on grazing lands, logistics of PBA activity, or liability questions, reach out to one of the officers.
Chairs:
Brandon Mace-785-620-7481
Travis Warner-785-282-8009
Secretary/Treasurer:
Brady Burks-785-282-8049
Primary goals include control of eastern red cedar, removal of thatch layer, increased vegetative species diversity, increased vigor of native warm season grasses, wildlife habitat improvement, among a slew of other benefits.
There has been discussion amongst members of performing some patch burns in August if weather conditions allow to manage stands of encroaching Old World Bluestem. I will drop a link in the comments with information about Old World, and how it is threatening our intact native grasslands.
Proper grass management sets on a two legged stool. For our native ranges to thrive to their full potential, two principles have to be applied. Those two things are rotational grazing and fire. When we remove or alter one of these principles, the stool is off balance. When the stool is off balance, the grasslands we steward aren't able to flourish like they should. We are so blessed to manage the grasslands of the Great Plains ecosystem and the livestock that depend on them. Let's do it to the best of our ability!
Thank you to our partners, community officials, and local volunteer fire departments for cooperating with us to continue fostering a positive burn culture in north central Kansas to manage our rangeland and help mitigate future wildfire.
Route 36 Quail Forever
Smith Center Volunteer Fire Department
Red Cloud Volunteer Fire Department
Smith County Conservation District
Smith County Emergency Management
