[00:09] Fire is often seen as a destructive force to quickly extinguish and suppress, but fire can be beneficial, giving Earth's ecosystems new life.

[00:19] In fact, naturally occurring fires are essential for the survival of many plant species. Trees such as the jack pine actually depend on heat from fire to break open their seeds for germination.

[00:32] Rapidly growing urban areas intrude onto ecosystems that rely heavily on fire, such as the chaparral forest communities in California and the American Southwest.

[00:43] The practice of putting out ALL fires has allowed underbrush in some ecosystems to become overgrown. The underbrush eventually fuels larger, catastrophic fires that are harder to control, threatening lives, property and natural resources.

[00:59] Development and the movement of people into wilderness complicates management efforts to prescribe fires to clear debris and promote re-growth.

[01:07] Accepting fire as a natural part of healthy ecosystem functioning, while at the same time protecting people and property presents a major challenge. The challenge can be eased if we work with nature rather than against it.

[01:22] For Our Changing Planet, I'm Jane Joyce. To learn more about Our Changing Planet, visit us on the web at www.umac.org/ocp.