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Fire Regimes

Definition

Fire regimes refer to the patterns and characteristics of wildfires in a particular ecosystem. This includes the frequency, intensity, size, and severity of fires.

Analogy

Think of fire regimes as the "personality" of wildfires in an area. Just like people have different personalities, fire regimes can vary from one ecosystem to another. Some areas may experience frequent but low-intensity fires, while others may have infrequent but highly intense fires.

Related terms

Pyrodiversity: Pyrodiversity refers to the diversity of fire types within an ecosystem. It recognizes that different species and ecosystems have adapted to specific fire regimes and benefit from a variety of fire intensities and frequencies.

Fire Adapted Communities: Fire-adapted communities are human settlements that are designed and managed in a way that reduces their vulnerability to wildfires. These communities implement strategies such as defensible space, building materials resistant to ignition, and community-wide evacuation plans.

Prescribed Burns: Prescribed burns (also known as controlled burns or prescribed fires) are intentionally set fires conducted under specific conditions by trained professionals. They are used to reduce fuel loads, restore ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and mitigate the risk of uncontrolled wildfires.