Prescribed fire plays a vital role in creating healthy landscapes that better survive natural and human-caused disturbances, while reducing wildfire risk to communities, infrastructure, and natural and cultural resources. Episode 3 of "Afire" highlights three scientists and partnerships that are attempting to better understand and utilize prescribed fire.

From Georgia, ecologist Joe O’Brien explains how researchers and forest managers are forming unique meetings that spark fresh ideas and advancements in prescribed burning across the South. In California, forester David Weise begins research into the processes related to pyrolysis to better estimate how prescribed burning affects people. And, in Arkansas, forestry technician Virginia McDaniel recounts a decades-long story of prescribed fire fortifying an ecosystem and an endangered woodpecker.

Related Research:

Scientists:

Joe O'Brien, Research Ecologist, Southern Research Station, Athens, Georgia
David Weise, Research Forester, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Riverside, California
Virginia McDaniel, Forestry Technician, Southern Research Station, Hot Springs, Arkansas

Forestcast is an official USDA Forest Service podcast, and is produced by USDA Forest Service Research and Development.

Want more information? Visit us at https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/products/multimedia/forestcast

Questions or ideas for the show? Contact Jon at jonathan.yales@usda.gov

Afire: Understanding Different Fire 51:30 Share

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Afire: Understanding Different Fire