Prescribed burns create a mosaic of burned and unburned areas. This patchwork effect ensures a variety of habitat for native animals. The season and frequency in which prescribed burns are carried out is varied between five to 15 years and during spring and autumn months. Only 60 to 80 per cent of each burn area is burned and many areas remain unburned for several decades. This promotes the biological diversity of the forest.
Fire also is used to regenerate habitat for native fauna and to regenerate areas cut for timber.
CALM also maintains an extensive fire detection network using lookout towers, rapid response aircraft and a 400 strong fire-fighting crew and staff throughout the forest areas. These resources are also used to fight fires on private and other Government lands.