Fire might seem destructive at a first glance, but in the hands of trained conservationists, it’s a powerful tool for revitalizing ecosystems. Metro Parks regularly conducts prescribed burns – carefully planned and controlled fires – to promote healthy habitats. These burns clear away invasive species, return nutrients to the soil, and create space for native plants to thrive, benefiting wildlife and the landscape alike.
Metro Parks’ Resource Management team had a few perfect days for prescribed prairie burns this spring. They were able to burn 122 acres at Battelle Darby Creek near Kuhlwein Road, 40 acres at Scioto Grove along the park roadway, and 20 acres at Prairie Oaks just north of the park entrance on Plain City-Georgesville Road over a week.
Take a closer look at this incredible process through our photo gallery, showcasing the dedication and precision behind these essential burns.
Team Meeting before burning at Prairie Oaks. Photo Liz Christian
Making sure everyone has a water backpack (Prairie Oaks).
Checking the weather to make sure conditions are right for burning (Prairie Oaks).
Rodney starts the fire along the edge of a field at Prairie Oaks.
First corner to be burned at Prairie Oaks
Fire begins to travel through the field at Prairie Oaks
Maintaining the blackline to keep the fire in place (Prairie Oaks).
Extinguishing the head flames (Prairie Oaks).
Coming out of the smoke after the section clears of flames (Prairie Oaks)
Putting out smolders in the field (Prairie Oaks).
Team prepares at Battelle Darby Creek.
Team gears up to burn at Battelle Darby Creek.
Team extinguishes the fire along Kuhlwein Road.
Team maintains the blackline at Battelle Darby Creek.
One finished section of Battelle Darby Creek.
Fire starts along the park road at Scioto Grove Metro Park
Ranger overlooks burning along the park road at Scioto Grove.
Head flames start at Scioto Grove.
Smoldering field after flames have died down at Scioto Grove.
End result at Scioto Grove Metro Park.
Drone photos and video are by Second Shift Supervisor Stefan Bruch, other photos are by Social Media and Marketing Specialist Liz Christian.
To learn more about prairie burns, visit these blogs on our website:
I would buy a ticket to watch one of these, from a safe distance, of course.