San Bernardino National Forest

Fire and Aviation - Prescribed Fire

 

Prescribed Fire

Prescribed fire can be used to manage natural and activity fuels, maintain areas that have already been treated, aid in meeting resource management objectives, and sustain ecosystem values. Prescribed fire is the preferred method in areas sensitive to impacts from mechanical treatments, such as California spotted owl and northern goshawk protected activity centers, riparian conservation areas, and on slopes greater than 35%.

Prescribed fire is used only when temperature, humidity, wind speed, and fuel moisture are within the Prescribed fires can be ignited when weather and fuel conditions allow for minimized smoke impact on the public's air quality and public health. The US Forest Service works cooperatively with Local Air Pollution Control Districts to implement burn projects under conditions that will minimize smoke in sensitive areas.

Prescribed fire gives us a chance to burn an area at a lower intensity to protect the vegetation and soil. Specific management objectives may be to reduce the fuels and/or create a mosaic pattern in the vegetation to create cover, forage, and browse areas for wildlife. Prescribed fire can also mimic naturally occurring fire, enhance native plant species and create diversity in vegetation structure and distribution.

Benefits of Prescribed Fire

• Reduce the accumulation of dead and down material: needles, brush, and trees.
• Recycle forests nutrients.
• Minimize insect epidemics and the spread of disease in crowded stands.
• Firefighter safety: fires are smaller, less intense.
• Urban Interface: to protect lives and property.

Disadvantages of Prescribed Fire

• Risk of escape
• Smoke reducing the visibility on the roadways and scenic views
• Smoke affecting individuals with allergies and respiratory problems
   

For more reading:

Federal Wildland Fire Policy - Use of Wildland Fire

10 Year Comprehensive Strategy (82 kb PDF)

Information of Forest Structure on Wildfire Behavior and the Severity of its Effects (314 kb PDF)