The prescribed burn was requested by the Natural Resources Division of the Frisco Parks and Recreation Department to help restore a portion of the Blackland Prairie ecosystem.
“Blackland Prairie grasses and wildflowers, such as bluebonnets, will come back healthier, and we’ll see even more wildflowers,” Parks & Recreation Director Shannon Coates said in a press release announcing the burn. “This burn should minimize maintenance costs by reducing weeds and our need to use herbicides and pesticides to control invasive plants.”
Other benefits expected from the prescribed burn include the restoration of plant nutrients to the soil and an increase in shelter, space and food for local wildlife. Native plants could regrow in the area within the next week, depending on rainfall.
Frisco initially announced that the prescribed burn would happen sometime between Feb. 17-28, but then, the FFD confirmed it would take place Monday afternoon and that multiple fire vehicles and personnel would be on-site for it.
The prescribed burn also reduces the presence of high grasses, which could otherwise be a safety hazard for the area in the case of an uncontrolled fire.
