OKMULGEE – On September 10, a prescribed fire workshop and field day is taking place at the Okmulgee County Fairgrounds. During the workshop discussions will cover fire ecology, burn planning, grazing and wildlife benefits, safety, equipment use, and how to form a Prescribed Burn Association.
Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m on Sep. 10, with a $20 fee. Lunch is catered by Loop Square Meat CO, and participants are asked to RSVP by Sept. 1.
Coordinating this event is Shelby Lofton (Cherokee), OSU Extension Agriculture Educator for Okmulgee County and the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP). Lofton partners with the College of the Muscogee Nation Extension program to provide research-based knowledge and education for Tribal citizens and communities. In her work with the MCN, Lofton wants Tribal citizens to know how important prescribed fire is to land management.
One of Lofton’s messages is how prescribed burns lead to healthier landscapes and stronger communities. “And the more prescribed burn associations we have, the more burns we’re able to carry out safely and effectively,” Lofton said. “That directly feeds back into the ecological health of the land—improving forage quality, promoting native plant regrowth, enhancing habitat for wildlife, and reducing invasive species.”
Prescribed burns can also help manage wild land fuels such as dried grasses, brush and leaf litter. “According to OSU Extension, using fire to reduce those fuels is one of the most cost-effective and ecologically practical methods available,” Loften said.
“In fact, areas that are regularly burned have sometimes acted as natural firebreaks—helping protect nearby towns and housing additions during wildfire events,” Loften said. “So even though weather conditions like wind, humidity, and moisture levels all play a role, prescribed burning remains a critical tool in lowering the risk of severe wildfire damage.”
Prescribed fires have historically been used by Indigenous people. According to Lofton, “And beyond the ecological benefits, prescribed fire also connects back to traditional land management practices. Native communities, including the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, have used fire intentionally for centuries as a way to care for the land, restore balance, and encourage regrowth.”
“So this isn’t a new practice—it’s a return to something that’s always been here.”
The workshop was designed and planned to help meet the needs for producers, by showing how to manage their lands effectively and sustainably. The workshop features experts in fire ecology and land management: Oklahoma State University (OSU) Extension Fire Ecology Specialist John Weir, OSU Extension Wildlife Specialist Mark Turner, OSU Extension Rangeland Ecology Specialist Laura Goodman and Chickasaw Nation Senior Watershed Fire Planner Miko Brandon.
“I also invited Miko Brandon, the Senior Fire Planner for the Chickasaw Nation, after receiving a recommendation from Professor Kent Sanmann at the College of the Muscogee Nation. I wanted to make sure we included a speaker with tribal affiliation who could bring that perspective into the discussion, and Miko turned out to be a great addition to the lineup,” Lofton said.
Depending on the weather conditions there will be a live demonstration. This will give participants the opportunity to see how a prescribed burn is safely conducted, such as setting firebreaks, igniting and monitoring the fire and ensuring that it is controlled safely, according to Lofton.
“A major part of this workshop is also about encouraging the formation of Prescribed Burn Associations—which are neighbor-led groups where community members come together to help one another burn,” Lofton said. “Prescribed fire is a powerful tool, but it requires people, equipment, and preparation. These associations allow producers to pool their resources, share knowledge, and support one another in managing their land effectively and safely.”
To pre-register, you can scan the QR code on the flyer, use the form, or call the Okmulgee County OSU Extension Office at (918) 756-1958.
For questions about the event, contact Shelby Lofton at OSU Extension in Okmulgee County at 918-756-1958 and email at shelby.lofton@okstate.edu
For technical or in-depth questions about prescribed fire, contact John Weir at 405-744-5442 and his email is john.weir@okstate.edu
