 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FIRE'S NATURAL ROLE |
|
|
|
Fire is Nature's Housekeeper |
|
|
|
Since the dawn of time, fires have burned regularly, consuming vegetation, accumulations of insects and diseases, and triggering a rebirth of forests. Without periodic fire, plants and animals requiring nutrients and vegetation from other parts of the cycle disappear. Fire, in places where it is a crucial part of the ecosystem, promotes vegetative and wildlife diversity, helps maintain wilderness and wildland areas, and eliminates the heavy fuel accumulations which can ultimately lead to catastrophic wildfire. Many plants have evolved adaptations that protect them as a species against the effects of wildland fire, and some are even strengthened by it. Nearly every ecosystem in the country has some kind of fire dependent plant or tree. Learn more from the Fire Dependent Ecosystem map. |
|
|
|
|
