Why Do We Conduct Growing Season Burns
As spring turns to summer across South Carolina, many landowners notice a shift in prescribed fire activity. The smoke we were used to seeing during the winter months is now appearing later in the year. This sometimes prompts questions, concerns or even frustration. If prescribed fire already occurred during the dormant season, why burn again? And why burn when plants are actively growing?
Fire and the Natural Growing Season
Historically, much of the Southeast experienced frequent fires during late spring and summer. Lightning-ignited fires were common during this period, and Indigenous peoples also used fire year round to manage landscapes. As a result, many of our native plant communities evolved with fire occurring during the growing season rather than just during winter.
While dormant season burns remain a valuable and widely used tool, they often favor hardwood resprouting and may not fully achieve certain wildlife or vegetation objectives. Growing season burns allow landowners and land managers to more closely mimic natural fire patterns and influence plant communities in more diverse and desirable ways.
Benefits of Growing Season Burns
One of the primary advantages of growing season burns is greater control over hardwood encroachment. When hardwoods are actively growing, fire is more effective at top-killing stems and reducing root reserves. This is especially important in pine-dominated systems where maintaining an open understory is critical.
Growing season burns can also enhance wildlife habitat, particularly for species that depend on native grasses and forbs. Fire at this time of year often reduces dense woody growth while promoting herbaceous plants that provide food, nesting cover and brood-rearing habitat for species such as northern bobwhite quail, wild turkey and many pollinators.
These burns help restore and maintain fire-adapted ecosystems such as longleaf pine savannas, pine flatwoods and open oak or oak–pine woodlands by encouraging plant diversity and limiting species that thrive under long-term fire exclusion.
Things to Consider Before Burning
Although growing season burning can be highly effective, it requires careful planning and experience. Fuel conditions are often more variable during this time of year, and weather windows may be narrower. Higher temperatures, increased humidity and active plant growth can affect fire behavior. Smoke management is also critical, particularly near roads, homes and sensitive areas.
Landowners should also consider timing and objectives. Not every growing season burn looks the same. Early growing season burns (late spring) may differ in effects from those conducted later in summer. Wildlife considerations such as nesting periods should be evaluated alongside management goals.
Because of these factors, growing season burns are best conducted with trained personnel, a well-developed burn plan and appropriate equipment. Working with experienced prescribed fire practitioners or local professionals can greatly reduce risk while increasing success.
A Tool in the Toolbox
Growing season burns are not a replacement for dormant season burning, but rather another tool in the prescribed fire toolbox. When used intentionally and safely, they can help landowners meet long-term forest health, wildlife and restoration goals that may be difficult to achieve otherwise.
As we move into the growing season, Clemson Extension encourages landowners to learn more about how fire applied at the right time and under the right conditions can be one of the most effective and affordable land management practices available.
Author
Derrick Phinney, Cooperative Extension, Forestry and Wildlife Agent
This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas.
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