Fire is an important factor in creating and maintaining sharp-tailed grouse habitat.
On native northern mixed prairie grassland in South Dakota, sharp-tailed grouse were absent in an unburned control area, which contained dense grass. Fire helps to eliminate dense mats of dead grasses, sedges, bushes, sticks, and other debris which can act as a barrier to walking and feeding. Although fire is generally beneficial to sharp-tailed grouse, severe fire may eliminate valuable cover essential for nesting, roosting, hiding, and feeding. Fire helps to stimulate new food supplies for sharp-tailed grouse. Ragweed is one of the best foods for sharp-tailed grouse.