Very few prescribed burns were used in Oklahoma before the mid-1980s, and wildfires were extinguished as quickly as possible. Now scientists have come to realize the part that fire plays in balancing rangeland ecosystems. By preventing natural fires, the ecosystem has been disrupted, resulting in the invasions of fire intolerant plants across Oklahoma, such as, eastern redcedar and ashe juniper. Increasing chances of large and explosive wildfires has also resulted from the absence of regular fires. Properly executed prescribed burns can provide such benefits as, fire suppression, controlling non-native and undesirable plant species, improving forage production and quality, ecosystem restoration and native prairie reclamation.
Some species rely on fire to complete their life cycle or to maintain a suitable habitat.
The bulk of the cost is incurred during firebreak preparations. Conducting a prescribed burn requires planning to ensure a safe and effective burn. A person should not attempt a prescribed burn without attending a prescribed burning workshop and working with fire crews to gain experience. Acquiring experience is important to avoid the possibility of a prescribed burn turning into an uncontrollable wildfire. The person who starts the fire is liable for any damage the fire causes if it gets out of control.