The Red Buffalo
‘Fire’ has been referred to as the “Red Buffalo” due to its similar effect on the ecology of the prairie as the buffalo. In terms of nutrient cycling, both buffalo and fire are able to remove litter or biomass, trim back trees, and stand out as overall controlling forces of the tall grass prairie.
Previously, fires were naturally set by lightning, while later, Native communities recognised its role and would set fires to burn over large tracks of land. After a burn, bison would come to the nutrient-rich, new-growth areas to graze.
The fire line established on the Living Prairie Museum by its recent burn will be noticeable in August, where grasses have the potential to grow up to 5 times the size of other areas.
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