09/11/2026
Prescribed Fire Benefits Wildlife on National Forests and Private Lands
As wildfire seasons become more intense across the country, many people are surprised to learn that one of the most effective tools for protecting forests and improving wildlife habitat is fire itself. Prescribed burning, also known as controlled burning, is the intentional use of fire under carefully planned weather and fuel conditions to achieve specific land management objectives.
For centuries, fire has been a natural part of Arkansas ecosystems. Many native plant and animal species evolved with periodic fires that helped maintain healthy forests, grasslands, and open woodlands. Today, land managers on national forests and private lands continue to use prescribed fire to restore these natural processes and improve habitat for wildlife.
One of the greatest benefits of prescribed burning is its ability to stimulate new plant growth. After a burn, sunlight reaches the forest floor, encouraging the growth of native grasses, wildflowers, and legumes. These plants provide valuable food sources for deer, turkey, quail, rabbits, pollinators, and many other wildlife species.
Wild turkey populations often benefit from prescribed fire because burns increase the abundance of insects that poults rely on during their first few weeks of life. The open understory created by fire also allows hens to better detect predators while nesting and raising broods.
White-tailed deer benefit from the nutritious vegetation that emerges after a burn. Young shoots and tender plants are typically higher in protein and digestibility than mature vegetation, providing excellent forage for does raising fawns and bucks growing antlers.
Bobwhite quail, a species that has experienced significant population declines throughout much of its range, thrive in habitats managed with regular prescribed fire. Burning helps maintain the mixture of grasses, weeds, and shrubs that quail need for nesting, feeding, and escape cover. Likewise, many songbirds benefit from the diverse plant communities that develop following a prescribed burn.
Prescribed fire also plays a critical role in maintaining healthy forests. Without periodic fire, leaf litter, dead branches, and dense undergrowth accumulate on the forest floor. Over time, these fuels can contribute to severe wildfires that threaten timber resources, wildlife habitat, homes, and human
lives. By reducing fuel loads in a controlled manner, prescribed burns help lower the risk and intensity of future wildfires.
In national forests, prescribed burning is commonly used to restore oak and pine ecosystems and improve habitat across thousands of acres. On private lands, landowners use prescribed fire to manage pastures, improve timber stands, control invasive species, and enhance wildlife habitat. Many landowners find that prescribed burning is one of the most cost-effective management practices available for improving the productivity and biodiversity of their property.
Fire can also help control unwanted brush and invasive plants that compete with native vegetation. By reducing these problem species, prescribed burns allow desirable native plants to flourish, creating healthier ecosystems for wildlife and livestock alike.
Although prescribed fire offers many benefits, it must be conducted safely and carefully. Burn plans typically consider weather conditions, fuel moisture, wind direction, smoke management, and available personnel and equipment. Trained professionals and experienced landowners work within established guidelines to ensure burns are conducted safely and effectively.
The sight of smoke in the distance can sometimes raise concerns, but in many cases it signals active stewardship of the land. Whether on national forests or private property, prescribed fire helps maintain healthy ecosystems, supports wildlife populations, reduces wildfire risk, and preserves the natural landscapes that Arkansans value.
As wildlife managers and conservation professionals often say, "Good fire is good conservation." When used responsibly, prescribed burning remains one of the most powerful and beneficial tools available for sustaining healthy forests, productive lands, and abundant wildlife for future generations.
Landowners interested in learning more about prescribed fire or developing a prescribed burn plan can contact the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division at 870-867-2013 or email Robert Loudermilk at [email protected].
Montgomery County is part of the Ouachita Mountain Prescribed Burn Association, a network of landowners working together to safely and effectively use prescribed fire as a land management tool. The association can be reached at [email protected].
Sources: U.S. Forest Service; Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; The Wildlife Society Technical Review 16-01, Effects of Prescribed Fire on Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat in Selected Ecosystems of North America (2016).
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