Prescribed burning, also known as controlled burning, are planned fires conducted under specific conditions to achieve various land management goals.

In South Carolina, more than 500,000 acres of land are burned each year.

through prescribed burnings.

These intentional fires are an essential tool in managing the state's diverse ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands.

While the concept of intentionally setting fires may seem counterintuitive, the prescribed burnings offer a range of benefits for both the environment and society.

They are also quite a spectacle when you get to see them from the sky.

Prescribed burnings offer numerous benefits.

They reduce fuel loads, lowering the risk of uncontrolled wildfires and restore habitats by removing overgrowth and invasive species.

Additionally, prescribed burnings improve forest health, particularly in pine forests, by reducing competition from hardwoods and encouraging the growth of desirable species.

One of the primary agencies responsible for conducting prescribed burnings in South Carolina is the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

Working closely with other agencies like the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, land owners, communities, and other stakeholders, they ensure the prescribed burnings are conducted safely and effectively.

The process of conducting a prescribed burn involves precise planning and execution.

Fire managers begin by strategically igniting a backfire or back burn which burns against the prevailing wind.

This intentional strategy creates a slower moving, more manageable fire.

Once the backfire is established, additional methods like flank fires and head fires are used to fill in the burn area.

These fires are carefully controlled to limit the heat intensity in smoke production, ensuring they stay within acceptable levels.

The goal is to create a mosaic pattern of burned in unburned vegetation, achieving the desired land management objectives while minimizing the environmental impact.

After a prescribed burn is conducted, the immediate aftermath may show a blackened understory with smaller fuels consumed by the fire.

However, larger fuels, like logs and stumps, may continue to smolder for several days.

Over time, herbaceous vegetation will sprout and the site should be lush with greenery within a few months.

The skeletons of hardwood vegetation killed by the fire will begin to break down, becoming fuel for future fires.

Repeating prescribed burnings over time helps to maintain a healthy balance of vegetation and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Prescribed burnings play a vital role in the management of South Carolina's diverse ecosystems.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission, through the careful planning and execution, help maintain a balance in the environment, ensuring its long term health and sustainability for future generations to enjoy, whether on the ground or from the sky.