 Fire is a natural component to the
southeastern landscape. Prior to fire suppression
and habitat fragmentation, lightning strikes would
start fires that would sweep through the forests until the next river drainage. Native Americans also
regularly burned forests at different times of the year. Because fires occurred regularly, the fuel load was
low, consisting largely of native grasses and herbaceous vegetation which burn
quickly and at a relatively low intensity.
Fire is our most important
management technique. No other method can produce the same results. It also
is cost-effective (matches are cheap). Our forests
thrive on fire. By regularly burning the
pine-dominated areas, typically every 2-3 years, we stimulate the growth of native
plants. As a result, the
animals also benefit because they evolved in the same
fire-driven ecosystem.
In addition, regular prescribed fire reduces the risk of
wildfires. The Trust also maintains fire breaks at the urban-forest interface to
minimize the risk of wildfire.
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