Where hydroperiods last from 1 to 6 months, fires may only occur once per century. The same situation exists for most of the oaks found in these forests, including laurel oak, overcup oak, swamp chestnut oak, water oak, and willow oak. Bark thickness in relation to fire resistance has been recorded for some southern wetland species. For more fire information on individual species refer to species reports in the FEIS database. Mature cypress survives surface fires better than its hardwood associates.
Survival is better following summer and early fall fires than following fires in other seasons.
Fires smoldered for several days but did not expose mineral soil on the two domes. A small percentage of cypress sprouted following this fire. The organic layer was thicker in the center, where more trees were killed than around the edges of the swamp. It appears that after long drought periods fires will do greater damage in the center of swamps where the organic layer is thicker. Fires in logged cypress stands are more detrimental than fires in unlogged stands.