What Is a Controlled Burn?

Controlled burns are carefully planned and executed by trained crews when weather and moisture conditions are favourable. By burning accumulated dead vegetation and underbrush, they reduce fuel available for uncontrolled wildfires. Many ecosystems — including North American prairies and Australian bushland — evolved with periodic fire and depend on it for seed germination and nutrient cycling. Indigenous Australians have practised cultural burning for over 60,000 years. Studies show prescribed fire can reduce wildfire severity by 60–80% in treated areas.