Prescribed Burning at the Watershed Center

What Is Prescribed Burning?

Prior to European settlement Indigenous people used prescribed fire as a land management tool.  This knowledge, passed down through generations, shaped the health and resilience of the landscape. However, colonization and strict fire suppression policies disrupted these practices, leading to overgrown forests that are less adaptable and more vulnerable to threats.

Fire has always been an integral part of the natural world, shaping ecosystems that rely on it for renewal. Many forests not only tolerate fire but require it for long-term health and resilience. Prescribed burning, a carefully managed application of fire, restores these natural processes, helping ecosystems thrive while reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Why Does Prescribed Fire Matter?

Each prescribed burn is carefully planned and managed to ensure safety and effectiveness. Burn plans include specific conditions—temperature, humidity, wind speed, and direction—to guide the fire’s behavior. Timing and location are also critical, aligning with the ecological needs of the area. Here’s why prescribed burning is essential:

• Enhanced Ecosystem Resistance and Resilience: Prescribed fires reduce the accumulation of dead plant material and dense underbrush, which can fuel large, uncontrolled wildfires. By managing fire proactively, ecosystems become better equipped to withstand disturbances like pests, diseases, and extreme weather conditions, including droughts and floods.
• Increased Native Species Diversity and Abundance: Many native species depend on fire for regeneration and growth. Controlled burns clear space for fire-adapted plants and help maintain a balance between plant and animal species. Fire often suppresses invasive species, allowing native flora and fauna to flourish, ultimately increasing biodiversity.
• Improved Wildlife Habitat: Prescribed burns create a mosaic of habitats, benefiting wildlife. They open dense vegetation, promoting the growth of forage plants for herbivores and creating better nesting opportunities for birds. Fire also supports endangered species that rely on fire-adapted ecosystems to survive.
• Retention of Species-Specific Fire Adaptations: Over millennia, many plants and animals have evolved to thrive in fire-prone environments. Some plants have fire-resistant seeds or bark, while certain animals have developed survival behaviors. Prescribed burning sustains these adaptations, ensuring these species continue to thrive.
• Improved Ecosystems: Healthy ecosystems provide critical services like water filtration, soil stabilization, and carbon storage. By promoting vigorous vegetation and stable soils, prescribed fires improve water quality and enhance groundwater recharge, while also contributing to the sequestration of carbon.