Biological forces help shape the prairies underground, but there's another force shaping these ecosystems aboveground: fire.

The tallgrass prairies we know today may seem timeless, but they are a relatively new ecosystem on Earth, having emerged only 8 to 10,000 years ago with the retreat of the glaciers; long after Native Americans were already inhabiting and farming the area.

They're a unique ecosystem that has never known a time without humans.

The prairies evolved with fire, and not just from natural causes like lightning strikes, but also from prescribed burns by the Kaw and other indigenous nations in the area.

And today, I got to witness a prescribed burn here on the Konza Prairie.

And for me, this is really exciting because it's really getting to witness ecosystem management in action.

I tagged along with the prairie fire crew to see thr action up close.

They moved with practiced precision, lighting drip torches and setting fire to carefully chosen sections of grass.

Watching a controlled burn felt less like destruction and more like choreography.

A skillfully orchestrated effort.

Fire might seem dramatic, but on the prairie it's a tool carefully used to maintain balance.

These landscapes have evolved to not only withstand fire, but to thrive because of it.

Without fire, many native plants and animals would be unable to get a foothold amongst more aggressive competitors that could crowd them out permanently if left undisrupted.

What's truly incredible to witness is how quickly the land responds.

Within just two days of being reduced to ashes, green blades of grass can already be spotted reaching out into the sun amongst the soot.

As they unfurl, they lay the foundation for a new season of growth.