Fire crews ignite the vegetation along a park road as part of a planned burn.

Contrary to popular belief, recurring fires are important to the health of the environment--no, crucial--and evidence points to a long, historic record here.

As settlers penetrated the western frontier of North America they saw fires raging through the forests and across the prairies. They perceived these fires as threats to timber and game and did everything possible to prevent them. They did not recognize a simple fact: the forests and game had somehow survived fires for countless centuries before the arrival of the settlers. As they attempted to "preserve" their new resources, they sought only to protect individuals, with no concern for, nor even awareness of, the systems which produced and supported these resources.

We now know that every species of native plant has made some adaptation to fire. There are some classic examples of plants that cannot complete their life cycles without fire. Some cannot open their cones to release seeds; seeds cannot sprout in the deep layer of leaves and needles on the forest floor; seedlings cannot grow in the shade of their parent plants. Fire is the natural environmental tool which provides for these and other needs.

During the years that we have successfully prevented fires a great accumulation of leaf litter and undergrowth has developed. Natural fires now are extremely dangerous because our "protection" has provided incredible amounts of fuel to support fires.

Our prescribed burns are calculated to burn only specific amounts of fuel. By selecting specific conditions (temperature, wind, humidity) we control the intensity of our burns. In this manner several mild fires will destroy the less fire-tolerant plants; will provide the seedbeds needed to re-establish the native plant communities; and will begin the normal cycle of recurring fires again.

Every Spring and Fall you will see lots of smoke at Lava Beds. Plans call for reducing hazardous fuel build-up in and near areas used by bald eagles as winter roosts. Reducing fuels along our boundaries will help prevent wildfires from spreading outside the monument. These fires, preparing the way for new plants, will improve habitat as a greater variety of plants becomes available as food and cover for wildlife.

If you're here while we're burning, stop and watch. Rangers will be on site to explain what's going on and to answer your questions. If it's safe to do so we might even take you onto the fire line where you can see first hand the positive effects of fire.

...And about all that ugly smoke? Research has shown that a ten-second exposure to wood smoke kills every forest pathogen scientists have tested to date.