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Superintendent Lisa Eckert has announced the successful completion of a prescribed fire at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site. The 250-acre fire was ignited on May 12th in the “Peninsula” area of the park. The objectives of the burn were to reduce the amount of the exotic smooth brome, encourage the growth of native grass and forb species, reduce the amount of hazard fuels in the area, and improve wildlife habitat. The fire had been planned a few days earlier but was delayed by an unexpected snowfall.
Post-burn monitoring by park staff has been very encouraging. Much of the heavy thatch layer has been removed and tons of heavy fuels have been removed from the forest floor, reducing the chances of an uncontrolled wildfire. Without the heavy thatch, new growth is already showing through the ashes. “We are very pleased at having met our objectives with this fire,” said Superintendent Eckert. “I was one of the fire fighters and it was most interesting to observe first-hand the use of fire as a management tool.”
This was the fourth prescribed fire at Knife River and the first time a burn was conducted in the spring. The first prescribed fire was in the fall of 1997 on the northern end of the park. Other fires occurred in the autumns of 1999 and 2001. A visit to the park now offers some interesting contrasts between the rich green in the area burned last fall, the blackened area of the recent fire, and the mixed browns and greens of the unburned areas. Park Rangers at the visitor center can provide maps of the park and point out the burn areas.
Wildland Fire Management Specialist Doug Alexander of the National Park Service’s Midwest Regional Office in Omaha, who was the burn boss for this fire, stated that fire use to achieve park goals is now a national program. This was demonstrated by the make-up of the firefighters involved at Knife River Indian Villages. Along with an engine and firefighters from Knife River, two engines were provided by Audubon National Wildlife Refuge with their crews, including two firefighters from the Washburn Volunteer Fire Department. One engine was sent from Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There were also firefighters and equipment from the Fire Use Modules from Zion National Park in Utah and Buffalo National Scenic River in Arkansas. “I was pleased with the support and cooperation we received from other parks and agencies,” said Alexander. “We couldn't have accomplished the fire without them.”
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