The smell of smoke during the late spring months is a familiar feature of life in Manhattan.

Riley County had a high risk of wildfires and issued a brush burn ban last week, recommending that ranchers and landowners conduct controlled burns in May or June, because of recent dry weather conditions that could lead to wildfires. 

“March is the climatological peak of winds in Kansas,” Kansas State weather data meteorologist Christopher Redmond said. “Controlled burning bans are usually for a 24-hour period when winds increase, or humidity gets low.”

Deputy Fire Chief of Riley County District #1 Doug Russell said it’s important to minimize uncontrolled burning for many reasons, but specifically so that controlled burning can continue on the days when conditions are right.

“All of Riley County besides Manhattan has volunteer firefighters,” Russell said. “If there’s a big [wild] fire going on, the county turns off controlled burning because the units are already used up taking care of the wildfire.”

While much controlled burning happens in April, ranchers, farmers and conservationists look for a window of opportunity when the conditions are right, even if just for part of a day.

Biology professor and director of Konza Prairie Biological Station, John Blair, says fire is essential to maintaining the life of native grasslands.

“Fire is an integral part of managing the prairies for cattle production,” Blair said. “Tallgrass prairies are an ecosystem that evolved because of periodic fires. Tallgrass prairie, the kind of grasslands we have in Kansas, requires fire in order to survive. Without it, the grasslands would disappear, and invasive species of plants would dominate, changing the entire ecosystem.”

Redmond said the general public can play a role in preventing wildfires in several ways.

“Anything that can cause a spark, like welding, metalwork or driving in tall grass, can start a wildfire,” Redmond said. “I recommend making sure your car is in proper order. It is important to be mindful of tow chains, which can drag and make a spark. Avoiding tall vegetation with your vehicle is also very important, as the exhaust can heat up and start a fire.”

Redmond also suggests, if burning brush or any type of grass, to make sure the fires are out and cold to the touch by the time you are done putting them out. 

“Keep checking them over and over again,” he said.