Farmer Charges Rural "Tourists" To Torch His Prairie Grass

Farmer Charges Rural "Tourists" To Torch His Prairie Grass 29-5-8 One man's chore is another man's fun. Jan Jantzen of Emporia, Kansas charges "amateur pyromaniacs" $100 each year to help him burn off the prairie grass on his farm. He calls the event "Flames in the Flint Hills." Each year, Jantzen uses fire to renew the grass and kill off invasive plants. For him, it's dirty, smoky and dangerous work. For people who come out from the city, it's great fun. He came up with the idea for "burn tourism" one year after telling horse-riding customers that the entire riding area would soon be in flames. Some mentioned wanting to see that. To test the market, he sent out fliers that brought 15 people to "Feel the heat, hear the crackle, smell the smoke, and witness the leaping flames, all as close as you want to be." People pay to set the blaze and enjoy snacks, a cash bar and dinner with a live bluegrass band afterwards. Jantzen's aware that it's dangerous. With winds gusting at more than 20 mph this year, he warned guests that it's not safe. He reminded them that a range fire can outrun a person. If the fire turns the wrong way, he warns them to think "black or blue" which means to run for black, burned ground or blue water. Excerpted from the Wall Street Journal

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