Media release from the Georgia Forestry Commission:
Americans watching national news are learning about something Georgia foresters have been touting for a long time: prescribed fire. Also known as “good fire,” prescribed fire has multiple benefits that make forests healthier and people safer. Wildfires, or “bad fire,” such as we’ve recently seen in California, can do just the opposite.
The first full week in February is annually marked as “Prescribed Fire Awareness Week.” (February 2-8, 2025) It’s a time when the need for good fire is highlighted. Prescribed fires, also known as controlled burns, are fires that are intentionally set by trained practitioners to achieve specific forest management
One of the most important reasons for prescribed burning is to reduce naturally occurring fuels within forest areas, especially those near populated urban areas. Prescribed burning reduces the risk of life-threatening wildfire and economically devastating timber loss.
Prescribed burning is the most affordable, environmentally sound method for preparing an area for seeding or planting. Harvest remnants may retain nutrients that could be used by new plantings. Prescribed burning hastens the return of these nutrients to the soil and removes the brush for efficient replanting.
Another strong benefit of prescribed burning is disease control. Certain pathogens that reduce growth in pines or other species can be controlled or eliminated with prescribed burning. Fire destroys diseased foliage, while fire-tolerant trees remain undamaged and healthy.
Prescribed burning is an efficient and economical tool for improving the habitat for certain wildlife species and maintaining wildlife populations. It is an irreplaceable process for maintaining biological diversity and balance. Many plant and wildlife species are dependent on periodic fire. Many species on federal and state endangered lists have developed fire-tolerant tendencies and depend on fire for their survival. Prescribed burning is critical to replenishing types of vegetation that attract wildlife to the area.
GFC foresters and rangers are experienced and trained in writing prescribed burn plans. And GFC is dedicated to sharing its expertise and increasing the number of acres burned annually. In 2023, 1.3 million acres were burned in Georgia. That increased to 1.5 million in 2024. Close to 9,000 acres of these burns were conducted with assistance from drones, a new tool that enhances efficiency, speed, and safety for burners.
Naturally, one can’t just strike a match and start burning fields, and GFC helps with the entire process. A forester or ranger makes a site visit to the tract to be burned for evaluation. They then prepare the plan, which includes a tract photo. A prescribed burn plan is important for a safe and successful prescribed burn. A prescribed burn plan can also be prepared by any certified prescribed burner in the State of Georgia. A proper plan covers all aspects of prescribed burning such as: weather factors, smoke management, fuels, and burning techniques.
Firebreaks (natural or man-made) must be noted and a map of the tract should show boundaries of the burn unit, adjacent landowner(s), topography, control lines (both existing and constructed), anticipated direction of smoke, and smoke-sensitive areas.
NOTE: From May 1 – September 30, a Georgia EPD burn ban is in effect in 54 Georgia counties, when increases in ground level ozone may create health risks.
There is a fee for burning assistance and the landowner must sign a prescribed burning agreement. Services include plan preparation, equipment loans, and on-site assistance. Also:
- The landowner must initiate the fire; GFC is not allowed to initiate a prescribed burn.
- GFC personnel will assist and can stand by with equipment if necessary.
- GFC can provide backfire torches for landowners on a limited basis as available. A deposit is required.
The West Central GA Prescribed Burn Trailers are available for use as well.
You can learn more about the basics of Prescribed Burning here.
