But Smokey the Bear created a fear of all fire that has been hard to overcome. The prescribed burned forest produces immediate and long-term quail food. Jeff Thurmond Benefits of Burning Thomas gives a number of reasons fire is beneficial in Southeastern woodlands. Removes leaf litter and creates bare ground, which exposes seeds as an immediate food source for quail. Reduces hardwood underbrush.
Small hardwoods are top-killed, which increases the amount of sunlight that reaches the ground.
This promotes germination of native legumes and forbs important for winter food. Produces newly sprouted vegetation the following spring. This in turn produces abundant insect populations, which are the primary food of young quail chicks. Breaks down seedcoats of hard-seeded legumes and other food plants through heat scarification. Increases germination of these important plants.