Fire

Fire plays a natural role on the Ashley National Forest ecosystems. It promotes vegetative and wildlife diversity. Fire eliminates heavy fuel accumulations that can lead to catastrophic wildfires. Wildfire plays an important role in establishing vegetation characteristics, such as species composition, stand structure, and as a disturbance pattern across landscapes.

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We use prescribed fires for fuels and/or resource benefit purposes. Unplanned fires are ignited by natural causes (lightning), or humans (such as campfires not extinguished thoroughly). While natural fire causes cannot be escaped, human caused fires can. Which is why it is important to always be aware of your fire and only start fires in designated areas.