Fire and the Prairie Ecosystem: Focus Week at Badlands National Park

The sixth annual "Focus on Fire Week" sponsored by the Badlands National Park is scheduled for July 15 through 21, 2001. This week long event is intended to "spark" visitor curiosity about the role fire plays in the prairie ecosystem through special activities and ranger programs, in addition to the regularly scheduled programs relating to the prairie resources. The regularly scheduled program with a fire theme is: Prairie Walks daily at 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Visitor Center. These programs last 45 minutes. Attendees should wear closed toe shoes and be prepared for any weather and ground conditions.

Humans have long viewed fire as primarily s destroyer of homes and personal belongings. However, in a forest or prairie ecosystem, fire breathes life into an area devoid of fresh vegetation by consuming the dead grasses, and through a system of replenishment, creates new life on the prairie. For many years federal, state, and local natural resource agencies had the goal of putting out fires on public land, for it was seen as an evil force which destroyed the normal mixed-grass area. Although ever in our hearts as a friendly safety message, Smokey Bear’s instruction to “Prevent fire” is not applicable to every landscape in the United States. Today, through gained knowledge and understanding of fires on the prairie, we realize the critical role fire plays in balancing the prairie ecosystem.

For more information relating to Fire Week and the activities scheduled at Badlands National Park, please contact Zach Million at (605)- 433-5244.