By Emerson Tarr
KSU Division of Communications and Marketing
MANHATTAN — If you’ve driven past Exit 313 on Interstate 70 during the spring, you’ve probably witnessed the grey smoke rising and low flames moving across the Flint Hills. Whereas smoke can be cause for concern, these fires are planned, managed and an important part of how the land and cattle are cared for by producers
“Where I grew up, we dealt with more wildfires. Coming to Kansas, it’s been an adjustment to see how comfortable producers are with fire,” said Logan Thompson, director of Rannells Ranch and assistant professor of animal science.Prescribed burning is common across Kansas, but it is especially important in the Flint Hills, where tallgrass prairie depends on fire to stay healthy.
At Rannells Ranch, burning is used as a management tool to support both the land and the cattle grazing it.Before a burn ever happens, there is a lot of preparation involved. Weather conditions, fuel levels, timing, and available help all factor into whether a burn can take place. Sometimes, that decision is not made until the last minute.
“It can come down to the minute before you decide to start lighting grass,” said Thompson.Burning also requires coordination. Rannells Ranch works with Konza Prairie Biological Station crews to burn each spring. Across the prairie, ranchers work together with neighbors to burn pastures safely and efficiently, especially when managing larger areas of land. It becomes a shared effort, with crews relying on each other for labor, equipment and experience.That coordination also reflects a broader connection.
The outcomes of prescribed burning, grassland health and cattle performance extend beyond the ranch and into the food system.Even with that planning, prescribed burning is becoming more visible to the public. Smoke, safety concerns and increased development in the region all influence how people view the practice. That makes it important to explain why burning happens.“This is a safe and natural process,” Thompson said. “Grasslands and fire go hand in hand.”