Annual grass burning at Norris Lagoon
Fire is a natural part of both forest and grassland ecology and controlled fire can be a tool for landscapers.
Ornamental grass is grown as a landscape feature and usually grows rapidly to a full height in a single growing season. It dies back in the winter, leaving an ugly mess of wilted grass blades on the ground.
Burning these grasses can provide several benefits including increased soil temperatures early in the season (due to reduced surface reflectivity), improved early season green-up, reduced over-wintering disease inoculum, decreased amount of organic debris present that may interfere with seed harvest, and increased nutrient recycling and suppression of certain woody and broadleaf weeds.
Each year, dead grasses surrounding the lagoon are burned, under the supervision of professional firefighters.
