Native Americans started fires to drive game for hunting, to make traveling easier, and to create grazing land. After a fire, the new, tender growth attracted the wild grazing animals. Native Americans understood the effect of fire on the prairie for creating good grazing and hunting land. Today, prairie restorationists and managers are researching different methods and ways to burn prairies and restored prairies. Without fire the prairie would not have spread so far or prospered so well.
Fire destroys the invading trees and shrubs.
The prairie plants are not destroyed, their growing points and food storage parts are below ground. The plant's growing tips are protected because the soil is a good insulator and the intense heat does not penetrate beyond the surface. In contrast, the buds of woody species are exposed to the hot flames and usually will not survive. Fire prevents prairies from choking on their own growth. Without fire the dead leaves and stems accumulate through the years.