prescribedfire

Prescribed fire, also known as prescribed burning or controlled burning, is the intentional use of fire under specific conditions to achieve land management objectives. It is planned, monitored, and executed to minimize risks to people, property, and the environment while delivering ecological and resource benefits.

Planning for a prescribed fire considers objectives such as reducing wildfire risk, promoting habitat diversity, or restoring fire-adapted ecosystems. It includes assessment of fuels, weather, topography, seasonality, and proximity to urban areas or infrastructure. Authorization typically requires landowner permission and coordination with fire management agencies or qualified practitioners. The burn is conducted by trained personnel using defined ignition patterns, with monitoring of wind, temperature, humidity, and fuel conditions, and with established contingency plans and suppression resources.

Benefits of prescribed fire include lowering accumulated fuel loads, enhancing plant species diversity and regeneration, recycling nutrients, improving forage for grazing, and aiding restoration of grasslands, savannas, pine ecosystems, and other fire-dependent habitats. When applied appropriately, it can reduce the severity of future wildfires and support wildlife management and biodiversity objectives.

Risks and considerations involve smoke and air quality impacts, the potential for fire escape or damage to nearby structures, and safety concerns for crews and the public. Regulatory requirements may include burn permits, air quality approvals, and restrictions during drought or high-wind periods. Post-burn monitoring assesses effects on soil, vegetation, and wildlife, and informs adjustments to future management plans.

Historically, many Indigenous peoples used fire as a land management tool, and modern prescribed fire programs are implemented by government agencies, private landowners, and tribal entities under regionally specific guidelines and standards.