Local Group Connects Neighbors for Safe Use of Fire in Land Management
Root River Prescribed Burn Association welcomes new members
UNION TOWNSHIP, HOUSTON COUNTY — When Jon Kochie walks his Houston County forest land just outside of Hokah, boundaries with adjacent properties are easy to see. Where his open, diverse woods meet neighboring acres, a dense wall of invasive buckthorn trees forms a barrier.
Jon’s woodland is airy and supports an abundance of native plant, insect, and wildlife species because he learned years ago to use prescribed burns to remove non-native plants like buckthorn, honeysuckle, barberry, and multiflora rose.
“A lot of people are afraid of fire and don’t know how it works,” says Kochie. “It’s a natural part of our Southeast Minnesota ecosystems. It opens up the forest and grasslands to light, creates habitat, helps germinate some types of seeds and controls plants that overcome native plant and insect communities so they can’t thrive.”
Grassroots, neighbor-to-neighbor association established
Because he knows these benefits, Kochie helped organize the Root River Prescribed Burn Association (Root River PBA) in 2025, and conducted its first annual meeting in Caledonia in January 2026.
“We currently have 41 members and roughly half were in attendance,” he says. “Member experience ranges from people who’ve never participated in a prescribed burn through members who’ve been involved in nearly 100. Most current members live within an hour’s drive of Caledonia, but a handful own land here and live in the Twin Cities.”
Root River PBA welcomes members and burn proposals from throughout the greater Root River Valley.
Burning in a Southeast Minnesota forest demands precaution, but what burns in the woods is primarily leaf litter. (Photo by Zach Glaunert, local Pheasants Forever Farm Bill biologist)
“The group, at its simplest, is neighbors helping neighbors. We’re a community of like-minded individuals, mainly landowners, looking to incorporate conservation practices into our land management. Our focus is assisting with the use of prescribed burning.”
Regional organizations provide equipment, support
In addition to private landowners, three professional organizations have stepped up to educate, facilitate, provide equipment, and lead burns with Root River PBA members. The Prairie Enthusiasts, Pheasants Forever, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), help members assess the land, access equipment and safely perform a prescribed burn.
MN DNR forester Valiree Green and Jason Andersen, Pheasants Forever prescribed burn coordinator for southern Minnesota, inspired landowners to use burning as a tool, and to organize Root River PBA.
Jason Andersen, Pheasants Forever, delivered a box trailer full of equipment to Root River PBA’s first member prescribed burn. The trailer contains two 65-gallon water tanks with slide-in pumps that fit in the back of a pickup or UTV and 200 feet of hose each; two 25-gallon water tanks with electric pumps for ATV use; drip torches; 12 hand-held radios; hand tools; backpack sprayers; and a cabinet full of personal protective equipment. He also provided support and taught best practices. (Photo by Dayna Burtness)
In Root River PBA’s first year, Prairie Enthusiasts’ Steven Winters led two 20-hour introduction to prescribed burning classes in La Crescent, and TJ Boettcher, MN DNR Conservation Focus Area coordinator for southern Minnesota, led two classes on building fire breaks, prepping for a prescribed burn and learning to write a burn plan.
Landowners act on values
The Association’s proudest first-year accomplishment was working with member Dayna Burtness in 2025 to conduct its first prescribed burn as an association. Her driving goal was to “put a hurt on” invasive species and to support native plants that need fire to grow.
Burtness was anxious at first, but drew confidence from the group on the day of the burn, “Kevin O’Brien was the burn boss and we had a detailed burn plan, great equipment and a ton of extra experienced hands.”
Burn boss, Kevin O Brien, explains how the burn will be managed, in what order areas will be lit, and who will do each task before work begins at the Burtness property. (Photo by Zach Glaunert)
“It turned out to be an incredibly fun day,” said Burtness. “We got the job done. And afterward we offered our sauna to workers and provided snacks. It was so positive, and I love the unreserved enthusiasm from this group. We want this organization to be something that helps people get to know each other and, as my friend Omar de Kok-Mercado from MAD Ag says, makes the work and the culture of prescribed burning irresistible.”
As 2026 begins, Root River PBA seems on track to do just that. One burn plan was submitted for support directly following the group’s January seminar on writing a burn plan, and three to four more are expected to be implemented this year.
Root River PBA’s mission:
- To promote the safe and effective use of prescribed fire for ecological preservation, conservation, restoration, and reconstruction, improve wildlife habitat, land management and reduce the risk of destructive wildfires.
- To provide education and training to members and the public on the principles and practices of prescribed burning.
- To facilitate communication and cooperation among members in planning and conducting prescribed burns.
- To share resources, including equipment, expertise and labor, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of prescribed burning.
- To advocate for policies and regulations that support the responsible use of prescribed fire.
- To foster a culture of safety and professionalism in all prescribed burning activities.
To become a member of Root River Prescribed Burn Association, send an email to se-mn-pba-board@googlegroups.com to receive your new member application form.
The Root River Prescribed Burn Association is not a regulatory board dictating who can and cannot burn. It is simply a group providing resources to achieve a common goal of prescribed burning.
Related stories from Root River Current:
MnDOT’s Prescribed Burn Team Burns State Ditches With a Dose of Fire
Landowners’ Quest for Biodiversity in Bluff Country benefits from prescribed burns
Smoke floats over vegetation as a burn worker walks through to help manage the fire. (Photo by Dayna Burtness)
Prescribed prairie burn seasonal photo
Resources:
Pheasants Forever
What is a prescribed burn association?
Nature Needs Fire and You Can Help
The Prairie Enthusiasts
Minnesota Driftless Chapter, Prairie Enthusiasts
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Benefits of conducting a fire in natural areas
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