By Dan Kinkade BPTMN 2015
Frisco Commons Park, January 13, 2026.
The Frisco Fire Department came to start a fire… not to put it out. They worked with Frisco’s Natural Resources Division to manage a Prescribed Burn of the prairie at the park. Blackland Prairie, Texas, Master Naturalists were invited to observe. For several years, our chapter has worked to improve this vanishing ecosystem by removing invasive plants, transplanting native grasses, forbs, and overseeding Texas wildflowers.
Native prairie landscapes are well-adapted to fire. In fact, a prairie may need fire to thrive. Prescribed burns can “aid in habitat restoration, rangeland restoration, and wildfire mitigation,” according to Dr. Morgan Treadwell, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Range Specialist.
Historically, grassland ecosystems burned every three to five years, either through natural wildfires or intentionally lit fires by indigenous people.
Fire suppresses woody species, invasive species, parasites, and pests. Prescribed burns enhance the growth of desirable native grasses and wildflowers, while also improving nutrient cycling, water quality, and quantity. Finally, a controlled burn reduces hazardous fuel loads, making it safer for neighboring communities.
