Lava Beds National Monument - Fire Regime

Fire has played a significant historic role in shaping and maintaining the ecosystems of Lava Beds National Monument. However, a total fire exclusion policy from 1925 through 1976, grazing by a variety of domestic animals, and a western pine beetle infestation in the 1920’s have combined to drastically alter the distribution and abundance of fuels, vegetation, and wildlife. The historic fire occurrence was relatively frequent in many areas of the monument, and the fires were often very large and of short duration. One of the monument’s goals is to reduce hazardous fuels and restore the natural role of fire by prescribed burning and natural fire management.