Proactive Burning Policies Could Reduce Wildfire Risk, Study Suggests

Paper: Bushfires and Balance: Proactive versus Reactive Policies in Prescribed Burning

A new study has modelled how prescribed burning interacts with uncontrolled wildfires. The researchers compared two main approaches:

• Reactive Policy – where controlled burning is increased only after a major wildfire.

• Proactive Policy – where moderate amounts of controlled burning are carried out regularly to prevent large fuel build-ups.

The results show that reactive burning can lead to instability, with wildfire risks remaining high unless extra safeguards are in place. By contrast, proactive burning is more effective at keeping the system in balance, replacing severe wildfires with smaller, planned burns.

The model also found that areas with a high regeneration rate – where vegetation grows back quickly – benefit most from a steady programme of controlled burning.

While the authors stress that many real-world factors must be considered, the research supports the idea that prevention, not reaction, is key to wildfire resilience.

For those managing moorland, this reinforces the value of traditional, proactive fuel management. Regular, carefully planned burns not only protect wildlife habitat but also safeguard rural communities from the devastating effects of uncontrolled fires.

Takeaway: A steady, proactive approach to controlled burning offers greater long-term stability for both the land and the people who depend on it.

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