Prescribed Burning

A prescribed burn is a managed fire conducted under a special set of guidelines for weather and safety, called a prescription, designed prior to the burn.

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge conducts a series of prescribed burns each year as part of its habitat management program. Burns are conducted by refuge Interagency Fire staff that are trained and certified in prescribed fire management.

Most burning on the Refuge is done in winter on days when conditions meet the prescription set for a safe burn. Humidity level, wind speed and wind direction are among factors that must be correct for the burn to occur.

Each year several management units on the Refuge are selected for burning. Each unit is bordered by fire breaks such as waterways or roads that enable the fire to be contained.

The burn area is ignited by hand using a drip torch or remotely using a helicopter. Fire engines with trained firefighters are on site to ensure the fire stays controlled.

Burning helps restore and maintain many plant habitats. Fire removes dry, dead plant matter that has built up over the years, opening up space for new plant growth and providing better cover and food for wildlife. The burn allows nutrients locked up in the dried plants to be returned to the soil to be used by new plants.