Depending on season, fire could destroy American woodcock nests.
Fires appear to have a beneficial effect on woodcock habitat.
One negative impact of fire may be the drying out of soil, which would drive earthworms deeper into the ground. Fires can be used to clear vegetation for better foraging opportunities, as well as raise soil pH, which may promote earthworm abundance. However, adequate cover must be maintained for nesting, brood rearing, and roosting.