Airman 1st Class Daniel Howard, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, sets a boundary line during a prescribed burn on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 31. The line is used to help contain the fire within a specific area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sean Martin)
Keith Harris, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron natural resources manager, puts out a fire during a prescribed burn on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 31. The fire was put out to salvage the tree and prevent it from falling and creating a fire outside the burn area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sean Martin)
Mark Gates, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron wildlife biologist, sets a boundary line during a prescribed burn on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 31. The line is used to help contain the fire within a specific area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sean Martin)
Matthew Stroupe, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron forester, fills up gas cans that will be used during a prescribed burn on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 31. The burn was performed over 300 acres on the East Reservation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sean Martin)
Members from the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron natural resources office look at a map of the East Reservation during a prescribed burn on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 31. The burn will help decrease the chance of a wildfire and also allow the wildlife to flourish. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sean Martin)
Keith Harris, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron natural resources manager, looks at a map during a prescribed burn on the East Reservation. The 300-acre burn will allow for animals and trees to better flourish on the reservation by eliminating competition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sean Martin)
Keith Harris, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron natural resources manager, fills up a water tank during a prescribed burn on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 31. The water is used to help control and contain the fire if necessary. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sean Martin)
by Senior Airman Sean Martin
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
2/4/2013 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The Natural Resources Office, along with help from base firefighters, conducted a prescribed burn on the East Reservation on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 31.
A 300 acre area on the East Reservation was mapped out and burned to help increase the life of wildlife and forestry.
"We spend the first hour at the burn site lighting the back fire, protecting oil field structures and other preventative measures. Keeping the fire from getting out of control is our main concern," said Matthew Stroupe, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron forester. "Once that is done, we begin to light the sides of the fire and what we call the head fire, which does most of the work."
Weather conditions, such as humidity levels, wind speed and water saturation, play a factor when determining when to conduct a burn.
"The conditions that we look for are low humidity, some wind to help drive the flames through the forest, and a dry surface," said Stroupe. "The wind is a key element because it helps to disperse the smoke the fire produces, stopping it from creating large smoke clouds or smoking out the surrounding area."
Due to some conditions not being completely ideal during the annual burns, every three years the Natural Resources Office must pass through the sites again and burn any area that was left untouched.
The burns are done between January and April and are beneficial to Barksdale's wildlife and foliage population.
"Prescribed burns benefit the base because they help reduce wildfire danger, increase wildlife habitat quality and remove competition for the pine trees allowing them to intake more nutrients and thrive better," said Stroupe.
Barksdale's large wildlife population also is able to continue to grow.
"The burn allows animals like quail and deer to flourish because it helps reduce competition," said Stroupe. It also removes a lot of hard wood understory allowing room for grass to grow which attracts the wildlife."
The Natural Resources Office is responsible for managing approximately 18,000 acres on base and this includes the management of fish and wildlife, forestry, oil and gas and recreation.
"It is a big responsibility and honor to be in charge of such a large piece of land," said Stroupe. Seeing it grow and thrive is very rewarding."
