The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is planning a 600-acre prescribed burn at Fort Robinson State Park that, if weather conditions permit, could happen as early as Monday, March 3.
The burning will occur west and north of the 22,000-acre park’s water towers. The goal is to remove thatch and improve grazing conditions for the park’s captive bison and longhorns, as well as wildlife species such as pronghorn and mule deer.
Fort Robinson is one of several Game and Parks wildlife management areas, state parks and state recreation areas that have prescribed fires planned.
Historically, wildlife habitats were shaped by wildfires that occurred throughout the year. Prescribed burning is used to increase the diversity of native plants while setting back undesirable species that invade native woodlands and prairies.