March 25, 2022
Catastrophic wildfires are predicted to increase across the world, according to a recently released report from the United Nations Environment Program. Earlier this year, the Biden Administration announced a new multi-billion dollar plan to address the nation’s growing wildfire crisis. Instead of focusing primarily on putting out fires, the new plan will significantly increase preventative controlled burns and vegetation thinning to reduce some of the fuel that fosters wildfire spread. Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology Dr. Lee Frelich provides expert comment on the effectiveness of prescribed burns and explains how this strategy could make a difference going forward.