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16 FEBRUARY 21, 2013 | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | THE WESTERN PRODUCERNEWSGRASS FIRE | MANAGEMENTGrass recovers following destructive blazePasture health | While a massive 1997 fire was costly, the native grazing land it burned was quick to bounce backBY BARB GLENLETHBRIDGE BUREAUFORT MACLEOD, Alta. — Thescorched earth left by grass fires isn’ta pretty sight, but native grazing landcan be remarkably resilient, says arangeland specialist.Varge Craig of Alberta RangelandServices has been monitoring recoveryof grasslands from a fire that tookplace 16 years ago.He reviewed his observations at theFeb. 13 Holding the Reins conferenceorganized by the Oldman WatershedCouncil.The Porcupine Hills to Granum fireburned 54,000 acres on Dec. 14, 1997,in a runaway blaze pushed by 90km/h winds and dry conditions.A swath of fire 32 kilometres longburned five homes, killed 250 cattleand displaced another 5,000 head,destroyed 960 km of fence andburned large amounts of hay andwinter feed.The fire caused $10 million in uninsuredlosses and is still consideredone of the hottest grassland fires everto occur in Canada, Craig said.The community banded together tofight and then manage after the fire.Researchers later learned that damageto grass was far less than feared.“In terms of the severity of theburns … less than three percent of thetotal burning area was severelyburned. We were dealing more withmoderate to lightly burned areas.”Severity made a big difference ingrass health and recovery because ofroot crown health and remaining soillitter and thatch. However, Craig saidWhile often dangerous, grass fires can benefit pasture land, improving forage quality and nutrient cycling. | FILE PHOTOspring rain was the big bonus.“Probably the blessing, the bestthing that happened for us in terms ofthe community and the landscape,was the fact that 1998 was a tremendousyear for moisture. From myperspective, it couldn’t have gottenany better,” he said.“At the critical time from April, Mayand June, we couldn’t have asked forbetter rainfall.”Records show 1998 precipitationfrom April to September totalled574.2 millimetres, much higher thanaverage for the region.Fire is feared, but it was once a naturallyoccurring event on the Prairies.Craig estimated major prairie firesused to occur at least once every 10years before fire suppression becamethe norm.Lessons learned from the 1997 fireincluded the need for fire plans, theimportance of monitoring fire aftermathfor best pasture recovery andthe knowledge that rangelands aremore resilient than many believe.Rangeland specialist Kevin Franceechoed some of those statements.“It’s not if, but when,” said France inreference to prairie fires.There are obvious risks to grass firesin terms of life and property, but benefitscan include ecosystem renewal,improved forage quality, better wildlifehabitat and nutrient cycling.France said few grassland fires penetratethe soil to a depth that killsplant roots. As well, grazing animalsare attracted to burned sites becausethey offer tender, palatable grass.As an example, France said a fire onthe Milk River ridge in November 2011burned 8,000 acres of grassland ownedby the Deseret and McIntyre ranches. Itwas started by a discarded cigarettebutt on a roadside and burned a largeportion of winter cattle range.He said damage appeared severe,but good spring moisture hastenedrecovery. 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