Prescribed Fire in Alabama Prescribed fire is a safe way to
apply a natural process that benefits various habitats and
ensures ecosystem health. Wildlife habitat and animals such as
deer, turkeys, and quail flourish in areas that are maintained
with prescribed fire. Some rare animals such as the red-cockaded
woodpecker and the gopher tortoise require fire-adapted habitats
to survive. Prescribed burning is also an effective tool to
reduce the risk of wildfire, which can be disastrous to both
humans and wildlife. In Alabama, prescribed burns can be safely
conducted throughout the year. Cool season burns are used to
reduce forest litter and to help prevent forest fires. Growing
season burns, often used to control the choking underbrush in a
stand of mature trees, are conducted from early spring to late
summer. One of the primary uses for prescribe burning is the
maintenance of wildlife habitat. Controlled burning helps to
rejuvenate high quality natural food sources for many species
including white-tailed deer a