Flames in the Flint Hills Brings Prairie Tradition to Life

Clements, KS (USA) – 9 April 2012 – An annual tradition of the Flint Hills will take place, Saturday, April 14, 2012 when the Flying W Ranch hosts Flames in the Flint Hills at its 7,000 acre ranch in Chase County, Kansas. The highlight of this day long event is when a targeted area of the tallgrass pasture is set on fire in a controlled burn. Fire has been critical to the tallgrass prairie habitat since the beginning when lightening strikes would set them in motion making way for a fresh start to grow warm season grasses and native wildflowers. Flames in the Flint Hills is a celebration of this tradition and packs in a full day of fun and education opportunities. Information for the event and registration is available online at www.flinthillsflyingw.com. The 2012 event is sold out, but has a waiting list for interested participants and registration is open for the 2013 Flames in the Flint Hills on April 13th.

“On one level the goal of this event is to offer guests the unique hands on opportunity to participate in a range burning activity,” says Josh Hoy, Flying W Ranch owner, rancher, and executive chef. “Guests enjoy an exhilarating spring day outdoors on our ranch in the heart of the tall grass prairie where they will actually light and manage a prairie fire.” Josh along with his wife/rancher Gwen Hoy couple the burn with a host of activities including a steak dinner, live music, horseback riding, and a lighthearted history of the role of fire in the Flint Hills.

On another level, the Hoys are well aware of the controversy that rages over the practice of large scale burning of Kansas Flint Hills pasture lands. “Fire is an important tool for protecting and improving the tallgrass prairie that supports some of the finest cattle operations in the world,” says Josh. “For that reason ranchers in the Flint Hills burn thousands of acres every spring. We are well aware of the controversy that exists regarding pasture burning and air pollution, but the reality is these controlled burns will preserve the tallgrass prairie and the environment.”

Flames in the Flint Hills educates visitors on how the deep roots of the grass store much more carbon dioxide than the fires release, making the preservation of a healthy tallgrass prairie an environmentally friendly activity.

A thriving Flint Hills not only benefits those who live off the land, but the majesty of this unique environment inspires artists, musicians, writers, and all others who are fortunate enough to experience these beautiful views.

Media Contact:
Flying W Ranch
Gwen Hoy
(620) 274-4357
www.flinthillsflyingw.com