It is our innate understanding that fire and trees are a deadly combination that can have disastrous ramifications for vegetation and wildlife. But those who are in the forestry business understand that the introduction of fire into a forest ecosystem – while causing damage – can also be a catalyst for change. Nothing that is touched by the fire – the vegetation, the soil – comes out the same; and it is for this reason that fire can be used as a safely controlled tool to reap change and ultimate benefit.

Prescribed burning, which is also often referred to as controlled burning, is a controlled and highly supervised process in which fire is introduced into a forest environment in order to manipulate the environment to enact change. The way in which fire can be used as such a tool is not only by controlling the way in which it is administered but also by controlling the time and intensity in which it is administered.

What change does prescribed burning enact and how does this benefit us?

• Acts as a protective measure. It is true that wildfire – most often the fire that we see and which we associate with so much damage – does have disastrous effects. Its ability to create disaster is embodied in its very nature; it’s wild, out of control, and burns hot and long. Prescribed burning can actually minimize the potential for damaging and deadly wildfires because such controlled burning reduces the natural fuels in the soil that feed these dangerous and naturally occurring fires.  Prescribed burning is therefore used as a forest management technique – a protective process - to mitigate the potential for wildfires.
  


• Stimulates growth. Fire changes the landscape in many ways and can actually stimulate biological growth – providing a fresh canvas of renewed activity including seed germination, and re-sprouting. This is a byproduct of any fire but in a controlled burning situation fire can be used as a tool to achieve these goals.
  


• Acts as natural selection. Prescribed burning can be used as a tool of thinning – selectively removing trees that are dead, dying, or diseased and eliminating competition and supporting a healthy stand.
  


• Improves wildlife habitat. The flowering and re-sprouting of vegetation supports a healthy wildlife habitat.
  

If you are interested in learning more about the process of prescribed burning, the benefits of prescribed burning, or how prescribed burning can help you, please contact Woodlands Enterprises today. Our expert team will be happy to answer all your questions and talk to you about how we can help you. We look forward to working with you!