Easter Monday Burn

Conditions were nearly perfect for the prescribed burn that slid across the ten acre section of the Hiram Hideaway on March 24th. A lazy breeze and slight early frost created a perfectly controlled fire. Don Bley, Kevin Bley and Bill Knight arrived and ignited the eastern edge around 9:15 AM.

The fire moved slowly, but steadily westward. As Don moved counterclockwise around the tract with the drip tank, which had been provided by, Hiram neighbor, Rick Golden of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Within the next two hours a northeastern burn line was gradually burning inward from Bill and Don. Kevin worked toward the center starting secondary spot burns to speed the process. Greg Bley and Ruben arrived to provide additional manpower along with Chief Larry Hornbuckle and another representatives of the Lowndes Fire Department. Once a burn line had been established on all edges, Don and Greg operated chainsaws to cut oak saplings and other woody vegetation. Ruben helped create burn piles to eliminate the downed timber.

Kevin proceded to distribute native seeds that included Little Bluestem, Big Bluestem, Switchgrass, Virginia Wild Rye and an small assortment of native wildflowers.

Overall, the fire burned well and the new fire breaks bulldozed by Ed Meloy held up well.