Eldorado National Forest

Fire & Aviation: Ecology

Fire ecology is a branch of ecology that concentrates on the origins of wildland fire and its relationship to the living and nonliving environment. Fire is a natural process operating as a component of an ecosystem. Native Americans used fire as a tool, intentionally setting fires to enhance desirable plant growth. Lightning caused fires were frequent and burned at a low intensity. Historically, these fires kept the accumulation of ground litter, dead grass, thick brush, and dead trees at a low level. Around the turn of the century, we began to suppress forest fires. Over time, the reduction of wildland fire has caused understory vegetation to become so dense that when a fire does occur, they are larger and more intense. Today the Forest Service is introducing prescribed fire as a way to mimic past fire occurrences. Using prescribed fire is a valuable management tool that can reduce the catastrophic effects of wildfires and improve forest health.

When a fire runs its natural course, it creates openings with grass, native plants, and shrubs. If a fire starts it will usually burn at a low intensity and stay closer to the ground.

USDA Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest
Last Modified: Friday, 28 January 2005 at 15:13:01 EST