California State Parks has a more than 50-year legacy of using prescribed fire to steward the Golden State’s public lands. But even as State Parks’ use of beneficial fire has significantly increased over the past few years with the help of historic investments under the Newsom administration – a trend that will continue following a recent executive order – the practice could still seem a bit smoky to the public. Here are some interesting facts to help clear away the haze.

1) Fire is Natural – And Some Species Need It to Thrive

Fire has shaped many of California’s ecosystems for millennia. In fact, some native plants are designed to sprout only after heat or smoke touches their seeds, and others need bare soil to germinate. By reintroducing fire in a safe, controlled way, prescribed burns help these species regenerate, strengthen wildlife habitat, and reduce the risk of more intense wildfires in nearby communities.

2) Prescribed Burns Actually Mean Less Smoke Over Time

It may seem counterintuitive, but small, controlled burns releasing smoke when conditions are preferable help prevent the massive, weeks-long smoke impacts produced by catastrophic wildfires. By reducing excess vegetation, prescribed burns limit the amount of fuel that would otherwise burn uncontrollably later, protecting air quality, communities and critical infrastructure.

3) Beneficial Fire Has Deep Roots in California

California Native American tribes and cultural practitioners have used cultural fire since time immemorial to steward the land. These practices were outlawed by state and federal authorities for two centuries, leading to disrupted ecosystems and increased wildfire risk. Today, State Parks is actively collaborating with tribes to restore cultural fire to the landscape and incorporate traditional knowledge into modern land management.

4) Prescribed Burns Require Careful Planning and Preparation

Before a single spark is lit, State Parks staff conduct extensive surveys, map sensitive plants and wildlife, develop detailed burn plans, prepare the site using minimally invasive techniques, monitor weather patterns and assemble trained crews with the expertise to carry out the operation.