U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agency emblem graphic
USFWS Fire Management sign
Title: Keeping Fire on our Side
Driving along the highway in many parts of the country,
you may sometimes see smoke in the distance,
even if you don’t hear sirens, see fire trucks, or smell smoke.
You may see a sign like this along the road.
Let’s take a closer look at how
controlled burns are used in some natural areas,
often near roads and communities.
Historically, before urban development,
wildfires sparked by lightning and fires set
by Native Americans cleaned up dead and overgrown trees,
shrubs and grasses. This kept native plants and
animal life in balance.
Today, when a wildfire starts near where
people live, firefighters work hard to put it out.
But with no fire, vegetation will eventually
become cramped and invasive weeds may take over.
Crowded trees are more susceptible to bugs and disease.
Dead wood and debris create more flammable conditions,
making wildfires and toxic smoke harder to control.
Thinning dense trees with machinery is expensive
and can damage terrain. Erosion can wash
weed killing chemicals into water supplies
and contaminate places people enjoy.
These methods don’t recycle nutrients into the soil
like fire does, rejuvenating fresh, green growth.
So controlled burning by trained professionals
may be the best option to protect people, plants, and animals,
and support clean air and water for all of us.
Carefully planned burns, also called prescribed fires,
mimic the natural pruning effects of wildfires.
Burning under controlled conditions is safer
than wildfire, and reducing vegetation in advance
makes firefighting easier and cheaper when wildfire strikes.
So how do fire managers make sure controlled burns stay under control?
First, they work with biologists and land managers
many months ahead – sometimes up to a year –
to develop a detailed plan for a particular area.
The prescribed fire plan meets requirements
for taking care of the environment, such as preventing
smoke from drifting across roads or into communities.
Prior to any burning, a team of specialists looks at
topography, vegetation, and what types of wildlife roam the area.
They consider bird nesting seasons and endangered species,
as well as the location of nearby homes, businesses, and recreation areas.
They analyze local weather patterns, such as
Prevailing winds and rainfall, and measure
the moisture level in plants.
They calculate the temperature, humidity, and
wind conditions under which a burn
could be done safely.
They determine how many firefighters, engines, and other equipment will be needed
to make it all work.
After the plan is approved, the team of burn Experts must wait for
correct conditions to “line up”.
Once forecasts and conditions suggest a burn will be possible, nearby residents,
local media and motorists are kept informed.
The team gathers on scene and consults meteorologists for special spot weather forecasts.
The commander holds a briefing, reviewing assignments
and safety plans.
When everyone is in place, the team lights a small test
fire to check that vegetation hasn’t become
too wet to burn well, or too dry to keep under control.
They might wait on scene for conditions to improve, or postpone the
burn for another day.
Once it’s a go, firefighters position themselves on control lines.
They may use natural barriers to fire such as rivers and rocky cliffs,
and man-made barriers, such as roads and trails.
They may dig firebreaks and spray lines of water on the ground,
all to block fire from spreading.
Then they use specialized tools to light the burn -- from the ground,
and sometimes from the air, depending upon the plan.
Special ignition patterns control the intensity and speed of the fire.
As flames grow, firefighters watch for any wayward embers and put them
out.
If at any point, conditions become unacceptable or the burn escapes control lines,
firefighters extinguish it as if it were a wildfire.
Once the fire is all but out, firefighters keep an eye on smoldering ashes,
and no one leaves until the commander declares the work is done.
Then the team meets to review how things went.
Meanwhile, wildlife starts returning to burned areas within hours,
looking for green sprouts.
They know renewal has begun and
you can rest assured the community is safer.
Please, help keep fire on our side.
This is Karen Miranda Gleason with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. �