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Lyndsey LeGrande

Pd 8

Prescribed Forest Fires

Wildfires are misconceived as dangerous and disastrous. In reality, not all wildfires are

the case. According to the National Park Service, “Prescribed fire is a planned fire; and is used to

meet management objectives. A prescription is a set of conditions that considers the safety of the

public and fire staff, weather, and probability of meeting the burn objectives.” If done with

precaution, prescribed fires do so much good for the environment.

Prescribed fires aren’t just a modern day practice. In fact, they have been executed by

early Native Americans and continue to benefit people and the environment in many ways.

According to Southernforests.org, prescribed fires improve animal habitats because it prevents

disease in plants and creates open land for grazing and feeding. Controlled fires are also

beneficial because they control competing vegetation that take up space for wanted plants.

Because the vegetation is more controlled, these habitats are prepared for seeding and planting

(Bargeron, n.d.).

Although there are some benefits, prescribed fires are very risky, and can do more bad

than good if spread out of control. Depending on the site, some areas are more difficult to control

than others, thus turning prescribed fires into normal wildfires that cause mass destruction

(USDA, n.d.). Some areas are easier to maintain than others, but in the end, any kind of fire has a

chance of losing control. Not only is fire hard to control, prescribed fires require professionals in

order for the fires to be executed correctly and safely.


There are risks, but prescribed fires are worth the hazards that can ensue. Tallgrass

Restoration says, “Permitting, planning and notifications must be completed prior to conducting

a prescription burn”, so there are extensive measures taken in order to execute the prescribed

fires as safe as possible (Tallgrass Restoration. (n.d.). Also, fire may be known for destruction,

however, planned fires protect local communities from wildfires because they clear out dead

plants that may take a long time to decompose (U.S Department of the Interior. (n.d.). Prescribed

fires must be controlled by professionals, so there are programs that allow such crucial training.

According to the National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center (PFTC), “PFTC is a

unique program blending maximum field prescribed burning experience with a flexible

curriculum of classroom instruction on foundational topics for prescribed fire practitioners.”

PFTC can train anyone to control fires, so there isn’t such a high demand for such specialized

people.

Despite the minimal dangers, there are so many more benefits of prescribed fires.

Prescribed fires benefit wildlife and their homes, help maintain and beautify the environment,

and allow future growth of plants. If Prescribed fires are implemented, there is potential for a

safer, happier, and controlled environment.


Works Cited

(n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2018, from


https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/dbnf/home/?cid=stelprdb5281464

Bargeron, C. T. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2018, from


https://www.bugwood.org/pfire/reasons.html

Heumann, B. (2009, September 08). Controlled Burns: Are They Worth It? Retrieved March
23, 2018, from https://blog.nature.org/conservancy/2009/09/08/controlled-burning-is-it-
worth-it/

National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2018, from
https://www.fws.gov/fire/pftc/

Tallgrass Restoration. (n.d.). We Use Prescribed Burns to Clear Invaders and Restore
Diversity. Retrieved March 23, 2018, from
https://www.tallgrassrestoration.com/ourservices/prescribedburns

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2018, from
https://www.blm.gov/or/resources/fire/prescribedburns/burn_bkgrnd.php

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