The Prairie Fire Festival is a week-long event in tribute to the ranchers of the Flint Hills of Kansas who participate in the annual range management practice of burning the prairie.

Our precious tallgrass prairie lands were first fire-managed by Mother Nature with fires caused by lightning. Indigenous Native Americans likely noticed that the bison returned to graze on freshly-burned prairie, creating an ideal hunting situation. It is also likely that Native Americans then began to purposefully set the prairie ablaze as a management tool. European settlers learned the prairie-fire principal from the Native Americans, and incorporated the practice into the management of the finest cattle-grazing lands on earth.

One of the integral prairie management tools, the annual prairie fires are also a remarkable, observable Spring-time event for visitors to the Flint Hills Region of Kansas. We invite you to join us during the Prairie Fire Festival to witness for yourself what we here in the Flint Hills have always admired.

As you travel to and from any of the scheduled seminars/events, it is likely that you might see a spectacular prairie fire off in the distance. We caution you that prairie fire is a dangerous undertaking, however. Fires are best observed from a distance. There are a few customary observation points, the view from which thrills locals and visitors alike. The local information centers would be happy to direct you to them. It is strongly suggested that you not attempt to get too close to a prairie fire. Unintentional interference with those who are managing a fire could potentially cause damage to people and property.

2012 Schedule of Events

Monday, April 9 Seminar cancelled

Tuesday, April 10 6:30 PM Seminar -
Dr. Tom Eddy "Plants of the TallGrass Prairie" at the Emma

Wednesday April 11 6:30 PM Seminar -
Mike Holder, Chase County Extention Agent,
"What Constitutes a TallGrass Prairie" at the Emma

Thursday, April 12 6:30 PM Seminar -
George LeRoux, Naturalist, "Mammals of the Kansas Flint Hills" at the Emma

Friday, April 13 7:30 Emma Chase Music Hall Cottonwood Falls, KS
Prairie Fire Festival Edition of K-177 BlueGrass Pickin'

Saturday, April 14

11:00 AM Prairie PastTimes, Cottonwood Falls
Photographer Bruce Hogle & Friends - "Images of the Kansas Flint Hills"

1:00 PM Prairie PastTimes, Cottonwood Falls
Erin Blackshere-Pouppirt, Spokesperson Kaw Nation
"Homesteading in the States"

2:30 PM Prairie PastTimes, Cottonwood Falls
Curtis Kelahbah, Kaw Native American
"Native American Philosophy"

7:30 PM Prairie PastTimes, Cottonwood Falls
Medicine Park Singers, Native American Kaw Nation Demonstration Dancers in regalia