Rekindling the Eastern Fires: Restoring Indigenous Burning Practices to Combat Wildfire Crisis
The image conjured by the word "wildfire" often centers on the scorched landscapes of the Western United States. Yet, a different, equally urgent fire crisis is unfolding in the East, one deeply intertwined with history, ecology, and the tragically suppressed knowledge of Indigenous land management. This article explores the growing wildfire threat in the Southeastern United States and the crucial role that the revival of Indigenous prescribed burning practices is playing in mitigating this danger.
A Legacy Lost and Found:
For millennia, Indigenous peoples, including the Lumbee of North Carolina, employed controlled burns as a vital tool for maintaining healthy ecosystems. These fires, far from being destructive, served to clear underbrush, reduce fuel loads, and promote the growth of desirable plant species. As Courtney Steed, a Lumbee leader of the tribe’s Cultural Burn Association, poignantly states: “I’m positive,” she said, “they didn’t wear fire boots.” This simple statement encapsulates the deep connection between Indigenous peoples, fire, and the land – a connection severed by centuries of colonization.
The arrival of European colonists and subsequent government policies systematically dismantled traditional land management practices. Colonization and government-sanctioned genocide forced tribes from nearly 99 percent of their land, effectively extinguishing the knowledge and practice of controlled burns. The misguided notion that all fire must be suppressed became entrenched, leading to the alarming buildup of fuel in Eastern forests – a situation dramatically exacerbated by climate change. The 1905 policy of the U.S. government to fight wildfires at all costs, though well-intentioned in its time, had unintended and devastating consequences. It set the stage for the current crisis by preventing the natural, beneficial role of fire in these ecosystems.
The Eastern Wildfire Crisis:
The consequences of fire suppression are starkly evident in the Southeast. Over the past two decades, the region has witnessed the country’s biggest increase in large burns, with the incidence of major fires doubling between 1984-1999 and the present day. Annually, some 45,000 wildfires scorch 1 million acres, encompassing thirteen states. This escalating problem poses a significant threat to the wildland-urban interface (WUI) – the area where human settlements meet forested lands. In North Carolina alone, 45 percent of the state’s 4.7 million homes lie within this high-risk zone. This proximity coupled with years of fire suppression creates ideal conditions for catastrophic wildfires with devastating consequences.
Restoring the Balance: Indigenous Knowledge and Modern Science Converge:
The solution, in many ways, lies in returning to the wisdom of Indigenous practices. The benefits of controlled burns are well-established, and research demonstrates their efficacy in wildfire mitigation. Studies have shown that low-intensity fires can reduce wildfires by 64 percent in the year following a controlled burn. When combined with thinning, another Indigenous technique involving selective removal of smaller trees and underbrush, these practices reduce the severity, intensity, and tree mortality of wildfires.
Organizations like the Cultural Burn Association, led by Steed, and the North Carolina Sandhills Prescribed Burn Association (PBA), founded by Jesse Wimberley, are spearheading this effort. These groups are working with landowners to conduct controlled burns on private property, a critical step given that 86 percent of the region’s land is privately held. Wimberley’s success in engaging landowners is notable; he conducts 70 burns annually, working with hundreds of individuals who have now become certified burners. Lori Greene, a landowner east of Charlotte, is just one example of the growing number of people embracing these methods, overcoming their initial apprehension about controlled burns.
Beyond Fire Suppression: A Holistic Approach:
The reintroduction of prescribed burning is revitalizing more than just fire management; it’s restoring a holistic approach to land stewardship. The benefits extend beyond wildfire prevention. Prescribed fire reduces tick and other pest populations, improves nutrient cycling, promotes better pasture growth, and contributes to the preservation unique ecology, vital for creating climate refuges. Many crucial tree species, particularly those dependent on fire for regeneration, such as red and white oaks and Table Mountain pines, thrive with controlled burns.
Collaboration and Education: The Key to Success:
While progress has been made, many challenges remain. Educating the public about the benefits of prescribed burning is crucial, since many people still perceive fire as solely an enemy to be extinguished. The work of PBAs is essential in this regard, facilitating collaboration between landowners, fire management agencies, and Indigenous communities. Victoria Donovan, assistant professor of forest management at the University of Florida, highlights the critical need for public awareness, emphasizing that many people "don’t associate these regions with large wildfires; we think about that happening out west." This lack of preparedness increases the vulnerability of communities in the WUI.
Even with the U.S. Forest Service burning an average of more than 1 million acres annually in the Southeast, the scale and frequency are insufficient compared to historical norms. The capacity of government agencies is often overwhelmed, further highlighting the critical role of community-based organizations and collaboration. As Steed emphasizes: “The Forest Service here has a backlog of several hundred landowners, and they’re never going to get to burn for them. They can’t; they don’t have the capacity.”
The Indigenous Perspective: A Deeper Connection:
The revival of Indigenous burning practices is not simply about implementing effective fire management strategies; it’s about restoring a fundamental relationship between the land and its people. Tommy Cabe, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ forest resource specialist, stresses the cultural and spiritual significance of fire for his people, referring to it as "a relative". This perspective emphasizes the deep interconnectedness of fire, human activity, and ecosystem health—a connection deeply rooted in traditional knowledge and essential for sustainable land management. The success of these initiatives hinges on the continued and active participation of Indigenous communities who are not only experts in this field but also have a profound connection to the land. This includes the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, who are uniquely positioned for success due to their continued presence and stewardship of ancestral lands. As Cabe notes, "we’re still on our homelands. We possess and retain a lot of stories and a lot of practice."
A Shared Future: Collaboration Across Boundaries:
The wildfire crisis in the Southeast demands a unified, collaborative approach, transcends jurisdictional boundaries and organizational silos. As Steed eloquently points out, "a wildfire doesn’t recognize the boundaries of federal, private, or tribal land, and ‘the solution can’t either’." This collaborative approach includes working with private landowners, government agencies, and Indigenous communities to foster a shared understanding and mutual respect for the vital role fire plays in preserving both cultural heritage and ecological health. Integrating Indigenous knowledge and practices into modern fire management strategies offers not only an effective approach to wildfire mitigation but also a path to healing past harms and building a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Studies increasingly show that the healthiest forests lie on tribal land, and respecting Indigenous land rights and autonomy is fundamentally critical to achieving long-term environmental sustainability.
By rekindling the ancient practice of prescribed burning, we can not only protect communities and ecosystems from catastrophic wildfires but also revitalize the unique biodiversity and cultural heritage of the Southeastern United States, proving that progress can be found in returning to the wisdom of the past.
