How much do you know about beneficial fire?
True or false: Fire doesn’t belong in Pacific Northwest forests.
Answer: False.
Pacific Northwest forests evolved with fire. In these “fire-adapted ecosystems,” some fires naturally occurred, and some were sparked by Tribes to steward healthy forest conditions for food, medicine, and more.
East of the Cascades, low-intensity fires occurred frequently across the landscape. West of theCascades, there were less frequent, high-intensity fires decades or even centuries apart.
Now, the region is experiencing severe wildfires more frequently due to unhealthy forest conditions, a warming climate, and years of fire suppression. These catastrophic wildfires can permanently alter the future of landscapes and communities.
True or False: Some forest fires are healthy.
Answer: True.
When most people think of fire in forests, they picture devastating wildfires that destroy landscapes and threaten communities. However, not all fires are destructive. In fact, some fires play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of forest ecosystems. These are known as beneficial fires.
Beneficial fire is an essential tool in forest management. They can be sparked intentionally during just the right conditions when it’s not too wet, dry, hot, or windy. This is known as prescribed fire or cultural burning (but maybe we should call them Goldilocks fires?). They also spark naturally and can be allowed to burn if they are not too intense or close to communities. Beneficial fire maintains the natural fire cycle that many ecosystems have evolved with and helps to prevent catastrophic wildfire. Beneficial fire also reduces the accumulation of dry vegetation, which lowers the risk of future fires becoming uncontrollable and devastating large areas.
Additionally, many plant and animal species depend on periodic fires to thrive. Certain tree species, such as ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, and giant sequoia, rely on the heat from fire to release their seeds. Fire also clears out dense undergrowth, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor and promoting the growth of diverse plant species. This, in turn, creates better habitats for wildlife and enhances overall biodiversity.
True or False: There are benefits to some forest fires.
Answer: True
The benefits of beneficial fire include:
Reducing Fuel Buildup – By burning small trees and shrubs, leaves, dead wood, and other organic debris, beneficial fire decreases the likelihood of catastrophic wildfire.
Encouraging Plant Regeneration – Fire creates space for new growth, allowing forests to regenerate naturally.
Enhancing Soil Fertility – Ash from burned vegetation replenishes the soil with essential nutrients, promoting healthy plant life.
Controlling Pests and Diseases – By keeping forests healthy, beneficial fire can help forest defend against insect infestations and disease.
Supporting Wildlife Habitat – Fire-adapted ecosystems create diverse landscapes that benefit many animal species, from birds to large mammals.
True or False: Some folks start fires as a job.
Answer: True
The need to “get more good fire on the ground,” as some people say, has led to an entire industry devoted to prescribed burning. By federal standards, a prescribed fire crew includes the burn boss, the firing boss, a fuels effects monitor, the holding boss, engine crew, and more. All positions undergo rigorous and continual training.
Land managers carefully plan and implement prescribed burns to maximize benefits while minimizing risks. Factors such as weather conditions, humidity, wind speed, and fuel moisture levels are considered before igniting a controlled fire. These burns are strategically set to achieve specific ecological goals and are closely monitored by experts to prevent unintended spread.
True or False: Communities are learning to live with fire.
Answer: True
As wildfires continue to intensify, the need for proactive fire management is greater than ever. The use of beneficial fire is a key strategy in reducing the destructive impacts of uncontrolled wildfires while fostering resilient forests. By understanding and supporting the role of fire in nature, we can help ensure the long-term health of our forest ecosystems.
Next time you hear about a prescribed burn, remember—it’s not just about setting fires. It’s about restoring balance, protecting wildlife, and ensuring the future of our forests.
Our position
Sustainable Northwest has been advancing legislation in Oregon, Washington, and the U.S. Congress to enable communities to use beneficial fire and forest treatments in ways that will help protect their communities from catastrophic fire by creating healthier forest conditions. We also coordinate the Oregon Prescribed Fire Council, and support Prescribed Burn Associations throughout the Pacific Northwest, helping ensure people are properly trained to apply beneficial fire to our forests. These are some of the ways we’re working to address the wildfire crisis in our region. Learn about these and other legislative priorities here.
Photos show a prescribed fire training in Southwest Washington, and conditions after prescribed fire on the Fremont-Winema National Forest in the Upper Klamath Basin of southern Oregon.
Photos courtesy of Sustainable NW, The Nature Courtesy, USFS, and Klamath Tribes.
