Postfire

Postfire is a term used to describe the period after a fire and the conditions, processes, and responses characterizing that interval. It functions as an adjective (postfire recovery, postfire vegetation) and, in some uses, as a noun referring to the postfire period. The term draws on the Latin post- meaning after and the noun fire.

In ecological and land-management contexts, postfire dynamics shape regeneration, nutrient cycling, and habitat structure. The trajectory of postfire ecosystems depends on burn severity, fire interval, climate, soil properties, and plant traits, with some communities rapidly resprouting and others relying on seed banks. Postfire soils often experience altered moisture, erosion risk, and microbial community shifts, which can influence subsequent plant communities.

Management considerations: Postfire rehabilitation aims to stabilize soils, protect water quality, control invasive species, and support desired recovery. Common approaches include erosion control measures, reseeding or planting, mulching, and monitoring of vegetation reestablishment and fuel loads to inform future fire planning.

Related concepts include post-fire regeneration, burn severity, and fire ecology.