Use of fire in the future: Benefits, concerns, constraints

Fire as a natural occurrence or applied as a management tool can have beneficial effects on the vegetative communities of the Madrean Province, including reducing fuel loads, preparing seedbeds, increasing herbaceous plant production, improving wildlife habitats, and changing hydrologic processes. Opportunities for the use of fire in the future to obtain these and other benefits are explored in this paper. Concerns and possible constraints are also considered.