Lately it's been really hazy in the Northeast because of wildfires and it has me thinking about controlled burns. It's an Indigenous practice that we've adopted for conservation. I've been wondering how often they happen and if they would help to prevent wildfires. I'm looking forward to looking at this resource from Robin Wall Kimmerer, the author of Braiding Sweetgrass:
This is super interesting! I actually used to do fire mitigation, but I've never taken the time to research the origins of the practices. Thank you for sharing!
At a museum in Potomac, Maryland, we began implementing controlled burns after many years of planning, with careful attention to the goals for our meadows. One of the biggest challenges we faced was promoting native plant diversity; in the spring, cool-season grasses (many of which are not native) tend to sprout earlier and outcompete native wildflowers and warm-season species. By conducting prescribed fire, we are able to reset succession, reduce accumulated thatch, and give native plants a genuine fighting chance against invasives that would otherwise dominate the landscape.
Controlled burns are an important ecological tool in Maryland's fire-adapted meadow and woodland habitats. Fire reintroduces a natural disturbance that these ecosystems evolved with, helping to expose mineral soil for seed germination, stimulate native roots to grow deeper, rejuvenate meadow vegetation, and reduce unwanted woody and invasive plants. The practice is increasingly recognized across the state for maintaining rare habitats and boosting biodiversity, from private lands to public parks. Meadow recovery after a burn is rapid, and the flush of growth creates open, sunny conditions where many rare and native wildflowers can flourish in the weeks and months that follow.
Working with fire is a tool in meadow restoration, and every prescribed burn must be planned by a team of professionals to ensure safety and ecological benefit. In our case, the scared landscape quickly recovered to have stronger wildflower blooms and improved habitat for a range of pollinators and wildlife. For those managing meadows or considering similar practices, fire is a powerful way to support native plant communities and healthy, resilient landscapes in Maryland