Fall is the time to start planning for next spring's management. Prescribed

ESTABLISH FIRE LANES

One of the most useful and time saving tools available to the fire crew is a cool season grass fire lane. Cool season grass fire lanes can be established during the fall. A fire lane should be two times wider that the height of the vegetation which will be burned.
The seedbed should be firm and fine textured. Cool season grasses respond well to appropriate fertilizer and in many instances it enhances establishment. Have a soil analysis done and fertilize the recommended rate. In the absence of a soil analysis, any of the bagged starter fertilizers available at your farm supply store will be adequate.

Incorporating the fertilizer during your last discing or harrowing will give better results. After the final discing or harrowing I highly recommend rolling to firm the seedbed. Spend the time necessary to prepare a suitable seedbed. Remember that if done right, this will be the only time you will need to perform this task.

Since attractiveness to wildlife is one benefit of native grasses, I like to recommend a cool season grass/legume mixture to plant in fire lanes. There are numerous studies which cite the benefits of a grass/legume mixture to nesting and brooding birds as well as browse for those animals desiring it. One mixture I commonly use follows. Planting rates can vary, don't be afraid to use a little more or less of the components, however don't go overboard by planting too much seed.

lbs/acre
Redtop 4#
Timothy 4#
Ladino Clover 2#

Brome and orchardgrass are other cool season grasses that can be used. Alfalfa, Korean lespedeza, white clover and red clover are other legumes which are suitable.

The cool season grass/legume mix can be broadcast or drilled. A common grass drill or Brillion seeder are good implements to use. I particularly like the Brillion seeder because it firms the seedbed and rolls the seed after planting, all in one pass. Broadcast seedings will do better if rolled after broascasting. Now all you have to do is hope mother nature is kind to you.

MAINTAIN ESTABLISHED FIRELANES

Cool season grassed fire lanes can become weedy or invaded by shrubby or woody vegetation. Late summer or early fall are good times to mow them. Mowing firelanes during late summer will minimize any damage earlier mowings might do to late nesting birds or broods and help reduce the amount of fuel, making the firelane more effective next spring. Another benefit to manipulation this time of year is that mowing opens up any broad-leaved or woody canopy which might otherwise restrict vigorous cool season grass growth. If you think of this in terms of baseball it is similar to putting your grasses in the on deck circle so that they can take full advantage of fall rains and the "cool season" when it is their turn at bat. If your firelanes are a couple of years old or you think a newly established one needs a shot in the arm, mid-September is the proper time to fertilize them. Use moderate amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N,P,K); about one third less than used in the spring. Fall is also a good time to lime. Generally speaking, lime spread this fall will not be available until next fall.
Maintenance of cool season grassed firelanes only requires a minimal amount of time. It takes a certain investment in time to establish a cool season grass firelane, but the savings in time and added safety during the burn will more than justify the effort.