Prescribed Fire & Ecological Fire Management

Using Fire Intentionally to Restore Forest Health and Ecological Function

Timber & Ember Co. provides prescribed fire planning and implementation services as part of a broader land stewardship strategy. When applied under the right conditions, fire is one of the most effective tools for maintaining healthy forests, improving wildlife habitat, and sustaining fire-adapted ecosystems. Our approach emphasizes planning, restraint, and ecological intent—recognizing that fire is powerful and must be used deliberately.

What Is Prescribed Fire?

Prescribed fire is the intentional application of fire under carefully planned conditions to achieve specific land management objectives.

Unlike wildfire, prescribed fire is:

•Planned and permitted

•Implemented under defined weather and •fuel conditions

•Staffed with qualified personnel

•Conducted to support ecological outcomes

It is not used everywhere—but where appropriate, it can restore balance that mechanical methods alone cannot.

Why Fire Is an Important Land Management Tool

In many ecosystems, fire plays a natural role in maintaining forest structure and species diversity. When fire is excluded for long periods, landscapes often become overly dense and less resilient.

Prescribed fire can:

•Maintain open forest conditions

•Reduce surface fuel accumulation

•Recycle nutrients into the soil

•Promote fire-adapted plant communities

•Improve habitat diversity and forage availability

When used correctly, fire supports long-term forest and habitat health.

Our Prescribed Fire Services

Prescribed fire services may include:

Burn Planning & Preparation

•Burn unit design and evaluation

•Site preparation and control line development

•Weather, fuel, and smoke planning

•Permitting and coordination support

Implementation & Operations

•On-site leadership and oversight

•Qualified fire personnel and equipment

•Conservative go/no-go decision-making

•Active monitoring and contingency readiness

Post-Burn Evaluation Burn effectiveness assessment

•Documentation and reporting

•Follow-up recommendations

•Integration into long-term land plans

When Prescribed Fire Is Most Effective

Prescribed fire is often used:

•Following mechanical or manual treatments

•In fire-adapted forest types

•To maintain open stand conditions

•To enhance wildlife habitat diversity

•As part of long-term stewardship plans

It is rarely a stand-alone solution and works best when integrated with other land management actions.

Safety and Responsibility

Fire carries inherent risk. We approach prescribed fire with a conservative mindset that prioritizes:

•Public and firefighter safety

•Clear operational boundaries

•Weather and fuel thresholds

•Smoke considerations

•Respect for neighboring properties

If conditions are not right, we do not burn.

Who This Service Is For

•Private landowners with suitable landscapes

•Timber and ranch properties

•Conservation and habitat-focused lands

•HOAs and community partners

•Public and private land managers

Fire as Part of a Bigger Picture

Prescribed fire is not about burning for the sake of burning—it’s about using the right tool at the right time to support healthy, resilient land.