Prescribed fire for vegetation management
Healthy roadside vegetation is necessary for preventing weed infestations, controlling erosion, protecting water quality and keeping roadways safe. Fire is an important aspect of vegetation management because many types of plants actually need fire for ideal growth. It's used in combination with mowing, herbicide application, biological control and planting in MnDOT’s Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management program.
How it works
Detailed planning ensures that a fire can accomplish its goal while still being kept under control. Prescribed fires are intended to accomplish specific vegetation management goals. Detailed planning ensures that a fire can accomplish its goal while still being kept under control:
- Weather conditions are chosen carefully
- Necessary equipment and crews are coordinated
- Fire breaks are mowed where needed to improve control
- Authorities and nearby landowners are notified and DNR burn permits are obtained
MnDOT fire crew members have all been through a nationally recognized training for basic wildland firefighters. They are experienced in working with prescribed fires on roadsides and have all the necessary equipment to safely control the fire.
Benefits
- Better weed control: Simply spraying weeds does little to prevent repeat infestations. After weeds are controlled, there needs to be desirable vegetation that can fill in to prevent future weed problems. Fire promotes dense stands of native plants that can out-compete weeds and make it harder for them to get established.
- Better water quality: Fire encourages dense native vegetation with deep root systems that prevent erosion and filter storm water runoff.
- Better safety: Prescribed fire is used to control brush and small trees near the roadway, which would otherwise become safety hazards. Fire promotes tall native grasses and forbs that trap blowing snow and prevent it from drifting across the road.
How you can help
If you're driving by a prescribed fire in progress, treat the area as a work zone. There will be workers on the roadside, so concentrate on driving and follow any temporary traffic instructions. There is no need to report fires that are attended by a burn crew or when “Controlled Burn Ahead” signs are placed beside the road. If you have any questions, contact Ken Graeve at 651-366-3613.