This is what the remnants look like of a straw burn. This is new to me as we never did that. I heard it is a rather recent event. I'm not even sure how they gather the straw to put in this area to burn. Guess I'll have to find a video.

Day One - Drive around the ranches and the first part of my hike including the antelope encounter:   [ youtube video ]   Oh, and another interesting thing they were doing at the Romain ranches was straw burns.  I've never heard of that before but they burn the straw stubble and have to let the fire dept. know as it puts up a good deal of smoke above the prairie.  I never did ask Cousin Brian why they do that but I assume it is to prevent fires, however, I googled it: For several decades farmers have burned stubble, CRP lands and rangelands as an inexpensive and effective way of controlling weeds, insects, diseases and excess crop residue.