Preparing the prairie for the new growth in the spring. Burning the existing plants allows for water and sun to help seeds germinate.
Some seed pods have to go through a burning process because the hull is impermeable to the elements.
This is how the plant protects its seeds. We burn our prairie every fall with the help of a local conservation agency. In the East Coloma prarie plot, you can find many plant species native to the great prairies of the Central Plains.