Wade Tract Preserve
Decades of prescribed fires have preserved this rare old-growth longleaf pine forest. The forest also serves as a fire-ecology research center.
Fighting Fire with Fire
Fires set by lightning and other natural causes once regularly burned our forests. These cycles of fire cleared out underbrush, preventing the buildup of overgrowth that can fuel large-scale wildfires. Today, prescribed fires mimic natural fire conditions to prevent devastating wildfires.
Helping Animals & Plants
The animals and plants in our forests need fire to keep their habitats healthy. Many species depend on good fires to thrive. Prescribed fires, carefully set by expert fire managers, help our woodland plants and animals by re-creating the fire patterns they depend on.
History of Fire
As a developing nation, the United States had a landscape that was shaped by frequent fire. But as development spread and fire prevention grew, a lack of regular burning led to "fire famine" that hurt forest habitats and created conditions that were ripe for wildfire. That's when support for prescribed fire began to grow.