Spring brings out the fire bug in us! The warm temps, calm winds, and dry ground persuaded us that it was time to scorch the bromegrass and boxelder seedlings in our reconstructed prairie. Maybe it’s wishful thinking – but we want to suppress the brome and woody plants and give the natives an advantage, if we can. The first small, green leaves of pussytoes also got singed – but they’re used to it and should recover. While the bluebirds watched with interest, a meadow vole scurried out ahead of the flames to find refuge in a nearby, unburned prairie. We’ll leave a few patches like that for the voles and insects and ground-nesting birds.