Rain then moves these nutrients back into the soil providing a rejuvenated fertile seedbed for plants. With less competition and more sunlight, seedlings grow more quickly. Wild animals deal with fire remarkably well. Birds fly out of the fire area, large animals leave the danger zone by escaping to ponds and streams, while others return to their burrows. Usually few animals are killed by fire.
Prescribed fire is one of the most important tools used today to manage Earth's diverse ecosystems.
A scientific prescription, prescribed fires help create a mosaic of diverse habitats for plants and animals. If enough fuel builds up, the fires could be so intense that they may destroy the seeds in the soil and hinder new tree and plant growth. By burning away accumulated fuels, planned fires make landscapes safer for future natural fires. State of the Science By 1990, global tropical deforestation was occurring at a rate of about 1.8 percent of the world's total forest lands per year. Using data from satellite sensors, aircraft, and ground-based initiatives, scientists are working to develop a new global fire monitoring program that will enable them to better understand the myriad implications of this growing problem.