Forest Fires: They'Re Better Than You Think

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Forest Fires: They’re Better Than You Think Forest Fires: They’re Better Than You Think Every year, the perfect combination of high temperatures and low rainfall ignites uncontrollable forest fires which blaze through acres upon acres of grasslands, fields and forests. With the fires spreading quickly, firefighters struggle to keep up the pace. While there is no doubt that forest fires can be destructive and devastating, there are also benefits surrounding them that are often overlooked. When in a natural setting, far from urban cores and populated areas, forest fires are often set intentionally, by trained professionals, for the purpose of stimulating growth and vegetation, improving animal habitats, and preventing the spread of larger uncontained forest fires. These intentionally set forest fires are better known as prescribed fires. Forests are made up of a series of levels, the highest level being the canopy level which, in North America, is often composed of tall, leafy, deciduous trees, and the lowest one being ground level where low-lying plants habituate. When a forest is young, the ground level is thick and full of grasses, bushes and shrubs and the canopy level is thin and does not yet fully cover and shade the forest. As the canopy level matures, it becomes full and thick, so much so, the sun no longer reaches the forest floor. This lack of sun results in the death and decay of many of the plants that live on the forest floor. Quite often prescribed fires are used as a means to rejuvenate the natural forest environment, a process also known as secondary succession. With this intention, prescribed fires are set with the goal of accomplishing a few different tasks. First, the fire will clear out any dead, decaying leaves and brush on the forest floor, leaving behind soil, ash and any fire resistant plant species. This
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