Prescribed Fire in Georgia

Prescribed fire is a critical and potent management tool for fire-dependent natural communities. It is one of the most effective, efficient and economical ways to manage Georgia’s forest lands and ecosystems while also minimizing the risk of wildfires. Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process that benefits habitat restoration and species recovery. It can affect the ecology of sites for decades, and is considered the only tool to spur the recovery of some endangered species.

In a nutshell, prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk.

Precribed Fire Fact Sheet

Prescribed Burning in Georgia: Anatomy of a Burn

Georgia Prescribed Fire Council

Using Prescribed Fire for Managing Quail Habitat

Prescribed Fire at FDR State Park

Fire and Exotic Pest Plant Control

Lightning Season Burning: Friend or Foe of Breeding Birds? 

For decades, the prescribed fires needed to maintain suitable habitat conditions for pineland birds were applied early in the
calendar year (i.e., before April) when cooler temperatures and steady winds prevailed. More recently, some land managers have shifted to burning areas dominated by native forbs and grasses later in the year (e.g., after April) both to increase the acreage treated with fire each year and also in consideration of ecological observations. The shift to burning later in the year has led to concerns about the effects such burns may have on nesting birds. Read the entire report here.

Also see:

• "Spring Fire Is Good for Wild Turkeys" (National Wild Turkey Federation)
• "Burning During the Nesting Season: Desirable or Disastrous for Turkey Management?" (The Upland Gazette, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission) 
• Related: "Establishing and Maintaining Oak Habitat" (National Wild Turkey Federation)