[Music] we're in the middle of one of the oldest Prairie restorations in the world and these technicians are lighting it on fire this is the beginning of a prescribed burn in Illinois a deliberately controlled fire it may seem counterintuitive but fire is an essential tool for conserving this ecosystem it increases biodiversity keeps invasive pests in check and can reduce the risk of Mega wildfires but fire is still a very complex and destructive force which is why burn paths like this must be carefully planned the leader of this highly skilled fire team is the burn boss
and he's going over the day's Mission so we're going to start with a a fire right here we're going to light slowly along this Edge the conditions have to be just right or a fire could quickly get out of control so safety and teamwork are crucial for a good burn just a reminder look up look down look all around technicians wield special torches to light dried vegetation along a specific path others are armed with backpack sprayers and Flappers to make sure the fire stays in line the parameters for burning are tight Flames can stretch 10
to 15 ft long with temperatures rising to as high as 1,000° f it can be so intense that some of these seasoned technicians have to Shield their faces [Music] wildfires burn millions of acres and cost billions to control in the US but setting small fires can help prevent big ones prescribed fires clear the amount of fuel on the ground like leaves grass and low brush which can reduce a future Fire's intensity it's like fighting fire with fire post burn everything looks Barren and black it's hard to believe this grassland could ever recover but that's what
makes prairies unique the roots of the Tall Grass are sheltered deep underground where fire can't touch and the heat from the fire actually helps to release nutrients in the soil that feel more vibrant regrowth which is why after a burn the prairie ecosystem looks like this completely restored and refreshed [Music] [Music]
