By Ryan Duey

PBS stations in Kansas City and Wichita will soon broadcast a 30-minute documentary on prescribed burning in the Kansas’ Flint Hills region, shedding light on the challenges and benefits of this land management strategy with roots in Native American practices. Titled “Flint Hills Fire Culture: A Legacy of Caring for the Tallgrass Prairie,” the program will Air on March 14th. The documentary will also be accessible on the Great Plains Fire Exchange website.

Prescribed burning, deeply ingrained in the history of the Flint Hills region, has been a practice dating back to the times of Native Americans. The documentary features interviews with over 50 Kansas ranchers, exploring the reasons for prescribed burning, addressing concerns about smoke, emphasizing safety measures, and delving into the cultural and ecological significance.

Produced by the Great Plains Fire Exchange, the documentary contributes to understanding fire culture, where the need for wildland fire and community well-being intertwine. Check your local listings for showtimes in your area.