Damages are also usually overstated, because fires do not destroy every living thing within the burned areas. Few animals are killed by even the most severe wildfires, rather, many animals seek out burned sites for the newly available minerals and for the flush of plant growth. And erosion is typically far worse along the fire control lines than from the broad burned areas. Nonetheless, the net damages from wildfires are generally greater when fires burn more intensely. Thus, lower fuel loads may reduce the net damages caused by wildfires.
Proponents argue that forest health activities to reduce fuel loads also reduce wildfire damages.
Again, this assertion is logical, and is supported by some anecdotal evidence, but there appears to be very little research documenting widespread reduction in wildfire damages from fuel treatment. Such evidence is critical, however, to justify of forest health activities from lower fire damage 8 . Finally, it should be noted that emergency rehabilitation occurs following most of the large, severe wildfires. While emergency activities can prove beneficial, especially for erosion control, they may inhibit the restoration of natural ecological processes. In particular, grasses are often seeded in severely burned areas.