Pontotoc Ridge Prescribed Burn Association

Fire, Forestry & Wildlife Field Day

Friday, August 28th, 2026
8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cross Timbers Experimental Range
4922 Coyle Rd, Coyle, Oklahoma

FREE EVENT
RSVP By August 21st https://bit.ly/2026ForestryWildlifeFieldDay

Wildfire effects on forest structure & wildlife habitat
Post-fire wildlife management & tree regeneration

Join us for lunch to discuss local natural resource concerns in Pontotoc county! 🔥🌳

Oka’ Institute Hosts Land Stewardship and Field Research Workshop to Advance Sustainable Land Management Practices The Oka’ Institute at East Central University recently hosted the Land Stewardship and Field Research Workshop, bringing together experts, researchers, land managers, tribal partners, and community leaders to explore innovative approaches to land stewardship, ecosystem monitoring, and sustainable ...

1 ac Demonstration Burn June 30,2026
Image is 10 days later.
There is unburned plant material on the soil surface.
The native grasses are greening up nicely.
The eastern red cedar that field day attendees thought survived the fire is dead.
This was a great growing season burn demonstration.

We posted the end of May to start on firebreaks for growing season burns.
If your burn unit has mowed wet lines, they should have been mowed at least once. It is probably past time for a second cutting and approaching a third.
If your prescribed burn plan calls for bare ground fire breaks, previously mowed can make those easier to install without balling up vegetation that can burn and smolder for a long time after the burn.
Fire breaks are infrastructure. Infrastructure requires maintenance.

July Land and Pond Management Calendar!

Summer Burns (Jul-Sept): Wildlife mortality can be decreased with this burn timing. Ground-nesting birds are mostly finished nesting and fawns are now mobile.

Burn Old World Bluestem: This invasive crass can outcompete native grasses. Burning in summer can kill old world bluestem plants.

Cut Native Hay Fields: Early July cutting optimizes quantity and quality. Cut once per year and leave 4" stubble.

Monitor Summer Food Plots: Control weeds if needed. Top-dress nitrogen if plants show stress from deficiency.

Monitor Bass and Bluegill: If fish are in poor body condition, harvesting more to reduce numbers is recommended.

For more, check out the factsheet! https://bit.ly/LandPondOSU

Opportunity to learn about Prescribed Fire during the Growing Season
July 31st
Murray County Fairgrounds