Fire regimes are disrupted by suppression or inappropriate burning

Fire has different ecological roles across the world. Some ecosystems depend on periodic fire, while others are highly sensitive to it. Policies that suppress every fire can alter fire-adapted systems and contribute to hazardous fuel accumulation. Excessive, frequent or poorly timed burning can instead degrade rainforests, peatlands and other sensitive landscapes.

The problem is the loss of a locally appropriate fire regime. A universal rule to either exclude fire or introduce more burning can cause harm when it ignores ecology, season, fuel condition and community knowledge.

Source: FAO Integrated Fire Management voluntary guidelines.