Fire in Medium Fuels of West Texas

Abstract

Chained and unchained mesquite in medium fuels were burned to measure the effect of prescribed burning on noxious brush species and on the production and utilization of major forage species. The fire did not kill any living mesquite trees. Very few standing dead mesquite stems burned down. Chained mesquite stems were easily consumed by fire with 2,000 lb/acre of fine fuel. Pricklypear and cholla mortality exceeded 50% by the end of the second growing season. Burning greatly increased production and utilization of tobosa grass; production of buffalograss was unaffected. Most annual forbs were harmed by burning.