Native Forests Need Native Fires

The balance has been lost. Since time immeasurable, fires have burned in a natural, cyclical procession in the forests of Northern California. These fires regenerated the land, promoted new life and kept the forest healthy. But, as people continue to move deeper into Northern California’s forestlands in greater numbers, the natural cycle of fire has been extinguished. For decades, the U.S. Forest Service and similar agencies have abided by a doctrine of all-out wildfire suppression. This approach has spawned a scarred landscape, burned through millions in tax-payer dollars, and created a longer and more intense fire season.

EPIC has a new vision of the role fire can play in the forests of Northern California. By incorporating traditional ecological knowledge maintained by the region’s American Indian communities with a progressive approach that includes prescribed burning and selective thinning, fire can again become an agent of renewal in the region. Help restore the balance and natural cycles of Northern California’s forests, get involved in the campaign or donate to EPIC.

The Big Picture: Returning to a Natural Cycle of Wildfire