04/06/2026
What would happen if fire was removed from our rangelands?
Fire has played an important role in shaping rangelands for thousands of years. Historically, lightning fires and Indigenous burning helped maintain open grasslands across much of North America.
When fire is removed from the landscape, vegetation begins to change over time.
You may start to see:
🌳 Woody plants increase as brush and trees move into open grasslands
🌱 Native grasses decline as they compete with woody plants for sunlight, water, and nutrients
🌿 Less plant diversity as dense vegetation shades out many grasses and wildflowers
🔥 Fuel buildup increases, which can lead to larger, hotter wildfires
Over time, grasslands can slowly transition into dense brush or woodland, reducing forage production, wildlife habitat, and overall rangeland health.
When applied safely and under the right conditions, prescribed fire helps restore the natural processes that keep rangelands productive, diverse, and resilient.
Sometimes the best way to protect the our rangeland is to bring fire back to the landscape.
Prescribed fire can revive wildlife habitat, prevent wildfires and maintain healthy grasslands that once covered much of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
