On Nature: Fire

There is this idea among civilizations that fire is a disturbance. It is such a prevalent idea that even naturewalkers tend to believe it. I have seen this belief toted by naturewalkers new and old as though it were absolute. So today I hope to share with you the truth about fire and the need for it.

Plants and Fire

In spite of what youngling druids or green priests might tell you, nature is not flimsy. It is not some frail madam that you must diligently watch over or she might crumble at the slightest provocation. Nature has mastered all natural occurrences; including fire.

Nature has done this by creating three broad categories of flora.

A)The first is the most well known and likely the cause of much of the hysteria surrounding fire; /Fire Intolerant Plants/. These plants burn quickly resulting, usually, in complete destruction. For some fire intolerant plants, the fire puts an end to their presence in the given region however others have adapted. These flora use the soil as insulation allowing them to regrow from below ground. Others are provoked into germination because of the fire which ensures that some seeds remain.

B) The second is /Fire Tolerant Plants/. These flora use insulation and stored energy to defend against fire. Their thicker bark or leaf sheaths mean that they burn with greater difficulty and only the hottest or artificially fueled fires can impair them. Sprouting buds can often be found beneath their insulation which become active after the fire to resprout sections of the plant, even if those sections are badly burnt or 'dead'.

C) The final is the least talked about type of plant; /Fire Resistant Plants/. These plants are best recognized by their size as most of their flammable parts are too high for fires. These plants need fires the most as they weaken in shade or from crowding; the fire removes much of their competition.

Animals and Fire

It is no accident that most animals have mating and birthing seasons in the spring or early summer. This allows their young to be in fleeing and fighting shape for the hottest days of the calendar when competition for food and chance of fire are at their peak.

Many animals flee regions under fire while other, smaller creatures, burrow into the ground. Fires do have the immediate effect of reducing shelter and food however by reducing the flora competition and using ash as fertilizer, many creatures can find plentiful and improved food sources in previously burnt areas.

People and Fire

People have found fire to be a disturbance to them because when they gather and build they do so with the intention of permanence rather than leaving room for adaption. They use fire as a weapon, as a tool and as a means to cleanse disease or infestation however in all instances they attempt to control fire.

Without control, they consider fire a menace. They practice fire suppression to facilitate this control. Often times this manifests by putting fires out briskly or burning specific sections in order to prevent a wild fire. This is done either to protect property or food sources or the hypocritical reason of 'preserving the beauty of nature.'

Fire suppression is a dangerous practice because it threatens the overall well being of the region in different ways;

A) Loss of Regional Vegetation: Plants that rely on fires to activate their germination will start to die out. Additionally the increased competition will see weed-like and aggressive plants thrive which will further lower the diversity of flora in the region as well as potential sources of food.

B) Damaging Regional Wildlife: The lack of flora diversity will decrease food sources as well as shelter for regional wildlife which will in turn reduce the type of wildlife willing or capable to persist in the area. This will impact prey and predators alike as food as a whole declines.

C) Soil and Waterways Decline: Fires fertilize soil which in turn promotes flora growth. With persistently less robust soil, the flora in the region will decline in luster, flowering, seeds and as an effective food source. Similarly, the silt from fires replenish the water flora and feed fish populations causing a burst of growth; in the absence of fire, a steady decline is imminent.

Conclusion

Fire is a /natural/ occurrence. One that should not be taken lightly or condemned quickly. The wanton use of fire should always be squelched but think twice before inhibiting its natural occurrence because its immediate devastation does not compare to its long term good.

Written by: Corbin the Spiritwalker