Climate changing: Research shows times for ‘prescribed burns’ in the West shifting
Fire crews perform prescribed burn on the Rexford/Fortine Ranger District in the Kootenai National Forest during the spring of 2023. (Kootenai National Forest photo)
Deciding when and where to conduct prescribed burns is becoming increasingly important as the climate warms, and, according to a recent study, the timing and frequency of appropriate weather will also play a larger role.
Prescribed burns are an essential tool land managers use in reducing fuel availability for extreme wildfires.
According to a study published in October 2023 in Communications Earth & Environment, conditions favorable to prescribed burns will become far less frequent in much of the West, especially the Southwest. However, the study found that parts of the northern Rocky Mountains will have more days to use prescribed burns, especially during the early and late winter months.
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