Fire with Purpose on the Kernen Prairies
On October 2, 2026, the University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources, Department of Plant Sciences, brought the science and practice of prescribed fire to life at the Kernen Prairies. Led by Dr. Eric Lamb and his graduate students, and supported by the Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange (CPPFE), and Sask Parks, the burn brought together seasoned practitioners and first-time participants, including University of Saskatchewan undergraduates, for a hands-on day of learning and stewardship.
For Dr. Lamb, it was a milestone: his 49th prescribed burn.
Who made it happen
University of Saskatchewan, College of Agriculture and Bioresources: Dr. Lamb and his students led the burn and treated the site as a living classroom.
Saskatchewan Parks: Represented by Katherine Standen.
Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange (CPPFE): supported the burn and the training around it, with a commitment to keeping our grasslands, our prescribed fire activities, and our communities safe.
Meewasin Valley Authority and the Weston Family Foundation: CPPFE is managed by Meewasin and funded by the Weston Family Foundation through the Prairie Grassland Initiative.
A crew with every level of experience
From experienced fire leaders with dozens of burns behind them to greenhorns holding a flapper for the first time, every crew member played a critical role. With drip torches, leaf blowers, UTVs, and a strong respect for weather conditions and safety protocols, the team worked together to apply one of the prairie's most powerful natural management tools.
Lessons learned
Safety and weather come first. A successful burn depends on respecting conditions and following protocols at every step.
Every role matters. From the person on the drip torch to the first-timer on the flapper, a burn works because the whole crew does.
Experience is shared on the fire line. Pairing seasoned practitioners with students builds the next generation of fire practitioners faster than any classroom.
Dr. Lamb emphasized on the need to drown the embers to prevent any sparks from lighting up after the operations, this is a very essential safety precaution when handling fires.
What's next
In a couple of weeks, participants in the Wildland Fire Canada Conference may return to this site as part of the conference tour to see the prairie's recovery and learn how fire helps shape these landscapes. We'll share recovery updates as the land regrows.
Register for the Wildland Fire Canada Conference here.
The Canadian Prairies Prescribed Fire Exchange is funded by the Weston Family Foundation through the Prairie Grassland Initiative and managed by the Meewasin Valley Authority.
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