As a Forest Scientist, fire is the friend of the forest.
There are different types of fires, and different trees tolerate different levels of fire. It is essential that the patterns of nature be allowed to continue as the environmental area (biome) has adapted to.
For example, new trees and food plants for animals cannot grow in many mature forests, unless they are permitted to be burned naturally (by lightening) periodically.
Fires recycle nutrients; remove build up of limbs and debris that if allowed to develop to large levels of dead fuel, result in conflagration fires that destroy the larger trees that survive smaller, more frequent fires. A half inch of bark (~1cm) protects most trees against smaller fires that do not reach into the canopy. Redwood forests are an example of forests designed to tolerate frequent fires to keep the understory thinned, and allow the remaining trees to grow to mature size. (The cambium must reach 140ºF to kill the tree).
In some species of pine forests, conflagration fires are required for seed release and germination. These require all the above canopy removal. These trees are filled with resins, which ignite and burn fiercely, to destroy other species of trees nearby. Their seeds then fall and germinate in beds of ash nutrients with no shade overhead. They grow quickly, as do broadleaf plants and grasses, without which animals such as deer cannot survive, as there are no sources of food for them in such mature pine forests, where too little light reaches the forest floor. New growth of grasses and many hardwoods can only occur in places where the canopy overhead is removed periodically.
Fires generally burn the forest in irregular shapes, without a whole large area being destroyed, as wind, topography, and bodies of water form a giant jig-saw puzzle like pattern when seen from far above. This leaves behind trees to reseed, and cover for hiding in, as well as standing dead trees; the primary source of habitat for most woodpeckers, squirrels, owls, and insects. Diseases are also kept in check by these fires. Only the healthiest trees survive in many instances, depending on the species.
People are attracted to build houses in these beautiful places. It is sad when human life, houses, and pets are lost to fire. Natural fire is essential. Careful planning and knowledge of Foresters is essential in choosing which areas are best for construction, and which are not. Too frequently, this is not taken into consideration. Ideally, very little fire-fighting should be needed if building was done wiser.
Native Americans also set fire regularly to keep the undergrowth in areas cleared out for walking, hunting, removal of poison ivy, and insect pests. Without this regular burning, many areas I could travel through freely as a child 50 years ago are now solid poison ivy, wind-blown trees, and impenetrable undergrowth. Fire is more of a forest friend than an enemy. Human forest cutting for housing and shopping centers is a greater danger to the forest, and animals that live there than is natural fire, which keeps the environment healthy and renewed.
As a Forest Scientist, fire is the friend of the forest.
There are different types of fires, and different trees tolerate different levels of fire. It is essential that the patterns of nature be allowed to continue as the environmental area (biome) has adapted to.
For example, new trees and food plants for animals cannot grow in many mature forests, unless they are permitted to be burned naturally (by lightening) periodically.
Fires recycle nutrients; remove build up of limbs and debris that if allowed to develop to large levels of dead fuel, result in conflagration fires that destroy the larger trees that survive smaller, more frequent fires. A half inch of bark (~1cm) protects most trees against smaller fires that do not reach into the canopy. Redwood forests are an example of forests designed to tolerate frequent fires to keep the understory thinned, and allow the remaining trees to grow to mature size. (The cambium must reach 140ºF to kill the tree).
In some species of pine forests, conflagration fires are required for seed release and germination. These require all the above canopy removal. These trees are filled with resins, which ignite and burn fiercely, to destroy other species of trees nearby. Their seeds then fall and germinate in beds of ash nutrients with no shade overhead. They grow quickly, as do broadleaf plants and grasses, without which animals such as deer cannot survive, as there are no sources of food for them in such mature pine forests, where too little light reaches the forest floor. New growth of grasses and many hardwoods can only occur in places where the canopy overhead is removed periodically.
Fires generally burn the forest in irregular shapes, without a whole large area being destroyed, as wind, topography, and bodies of water form a giant jig-saw puzzle like pattern when seen from far above. This leaves behind trees to reseed, and cover for hiding in, as well as standing dead trees; the primary source of habitat for most woodpeckers, squirrels, owls, and insects. Diseases are also kept in check by these fires. Only the healthiest trees survive in many instances, depending on the species.
People are attracted to build houses in these beautiful places. It is sad when human life, houses, and pets are lost to fire. Natural fire is essential. Careful planning and knowledge of Foresters is essential in choosing which areas are best for construction, and which are not. Too frequently, this is not taken into consideration. Ideally, very little fire-fighting should be needed if building was done wiser.
Native Americans also set fire regularly to keep the undergrowth in areas cleared out for walking, hunting, removal of poison ivy, and insect pests. Without this regular burning, many areas I could travel through freely as a child 50 years ago are now solid poison ivy, wind-blown trees, and impenetrable undergrowth. Fire is more of a forest friend than an enemy. Human forest cutting for housing and shopping centers is a greater danger to the forest, and animals that live there than is natural fire, which keeps the environment healthy and renewed.
Rev. Scotty, MTh, MWPS,
Member of The National Forestry Honor Society.