Returning Fire to Ohio's Lands

History of Fire in Ohio

Prior to European colonization, Indigenous Peoples used fire for thousands of years as a part of their land management strategies across Ohio. These intentional fires played a crucial role in maintaining the health and diversity of ecosystems across the continent, helping to clear out underbrush, create open habitats that supported plants and wildlife and promote ecological resiliency.

With the arrival of European colonists, a profound shift in the approach to Ohio's land management occured; fire suppression became the new norm. As a result, the landscape began to change as fire-adapted and fire-dependent ecosystems became increasingly rare. This shift had unintended and detrimental consequences for natural areas in Ohio. Without regular fires, many habitats became overgrown as natural succession took over. Invasive species thrived in the absence of the natural disturbances that kept them in check. Biodiversity suffered as specialized fire-adapted species struggled to regenerate. And the overall health and resilience of ecosystems declined.

Impacts of Fire Suppression in Ohio

Ohio’s oak-hickory forests evolved with a natural fire regime. Periodic, low-intensity fires helped clear out underbrush, reduce competition from other plant species and stimulate the regeneration of oak and hickory trees. But fire suppression throughout the last century has threatened the integrity of these systems.

The consequences of fire suppression in Ohio’s forests are multifaceted. First and foremost, it has led to an increase in the density of smaller trees and shrubs in the forest understory. Without the natural thinning effect of fires, these plants have flourished, creating dense, crowded conditions that make it difficult for young oak and hickory trees to establish themselves. This lack of regeneration threatens the long-term sustainability of these iconic tree species, as they are outcompeted by more shade-tolerant species like maple. Fire suppression has also altered the composition of the forest floor. Fallen leaves, branches and other organic matter that would typically be consumed by fires now accumulate over time, creating a fuel-rich environment that could increase the severity and destructiveness of wildfires when they occur.

Embracing Fire in Ohio

Throughout the last 60 years, conservationists have come to recognize the importance of reintroducing fire and other forms of natural disturbance as an important component of land management and restoration. The Nature Conservancy, among other organizations, has been at the forefront of these efforts, working to restore the balance that was disrupted centuries ago. Through careful planning and collaboration, we are working to revitalize the practice of prescribed burning, recognizing that it is essential to the future health and sustainability of Ohio’s fire-dependent habitats.

Prescribed fires are driven by specific ecological goals. These goals can range from maintaining a specific plant community or controlling invasive species to enhancing wildlife areas or keeping forests healthy. We're using fire at Kitty Todd Nature Preserve in northwest Ohio and Edge of Appalachia Preserve in southern Ohio as a way to promote the health of both natural areas.

Marked by prairie and savanna habitat, the Oak Openings Region in northwest Ohio is home to one-third of the state's endangered and threatened plants. Prescribed fire is an important tool in maintaining the area’s open, sandy habitats that are vital for these species by reducing the encroachment of woody vegetation and promoting the growth of native prairie plants, including yellow false indigo, Skinner’s foxglove, grass pink orchid, colicroot, scaly blazing star and wild lupine. Using fire as a disturbance at Kitty Todd Nature Preserve also helps to support the habitat needed for rare butterflies and moths, including the state-endangered blazing star borer moth, as well as rare birds like the lark sparrow, least bittern, sandhill crane, grasshopper sparrow, red-headed woodpecker and northern harrier.

Nestled along the Ohio River, the Edge of Appalachia Preserve is a testament to the power of prescribed fire in maintaining the region's biodiversity. Fire is used alongside other anthropogenic disturbances like mowing and mulching to maintain and restore the preserve’s xeric limestone prairies that support migratory birds like Henslow’s sparrow and meadowlarks, as well as insects, reptiles and other wildlife. The preserve’s forests also benefit from routine disturbance like burning and selective thinning. Fire benefits oak-hickory forests by increasing sunlight to the forest floor and promoting seed germination of preferred species. These hardwood-dominated ecosystems provide a rich tapestry of plant and animal life due to their complex structure and diverse understory. Surface fires reduce competition from shade-tolerant species such as red maple, yellow poplar and white pine, which do not have fire adaptations like thick, protective bark or other traits that have become more common in the absence of fire.

Every burn has a written “prescription,” which outlines precise weather conditions required to conduct the burn safely and a specific plan of how the fire will be conducted. If weather conditions are unacceptable on the day of a planned burn, they are considered “out of prescription,” and the burn will be postponed. Plans also include safety considerations and contingencies in the event that something does not go as intended. These contingencies include communication with local, emergency dispatch centers and other agencies before and after the controlled burn as well as maps and additional planning. Day-after checks are required by TNC fire staff for as long as needed until the burn is fully extinguished.