Anatomy of a Growing Season Burn
June 19, 2025
Burning in late spring or summer can be challenging, requiring careful planning and compliance with strict regulations in many parts of South Georgia. On a small farm in southeast Georgia, a successful growing season burn was recently completed.
The property contains ag fields, pastures, ponds, cypress drains, planted pine stands, and a special 10-acre stand of mature longleaf pine. The understory is very typical of southern rough consisting of a moderate shrub and grass layer of gallberry, saw palmetto, wiregrass, broom sage, and other small forbs conducive to wildlife.
The longleaf stand has been burned on three-year rotation since 2000 but always in the winter. After years of apprehension, it was finally decided to conduct a growing season burn. The goals for the burn were purely wildlife habitat improvement and wiregrass enhancement.
Fire Weather
Favorable weather conditions for burning this stand include: a steady 5-10 mph west wind, humidity between 50%-75%, temperature less than 90 degrees, and a smoke dispersion index higher than 40.
There were still concerns about crown scorch and lingering smoke, but knowing that a transport wind of 10-15 mph will take care of those issues, the concerns were quickly lifted.
Fortunately, a much-needed three-inch rain fell a few days prior, assuring adequate ground moisture.
With favorable conditions finally matching the burn plan in mid-May, a burn permit was obtained.
Prescribed Fire Terms
Growing Season Burn - Control burns conducted during the late spring to early fall when plants are actively growing.
Black Line - Refers to a cleared area of burned vegetation along the perimeter of a burn unit to act as a fire break.
Firing Techniques
