The Expanding Burning Field: Advancing Land-Fire Stewardship in Landscape Architecture

Abstract

In recent years, the convergence of accelerating climate change, land use changes, and modified fire regimes has escalated the risk of catastrophic wildfires. In response, landscape stewardship tools such as the application of beneficial fire are being increasingly employed worldwide to mitigate fuel accumulation, improve habitat, and support eco-cultural practices. Beneficial fire encompasses various forms, including cultural burns, prescribed burns, or simply allowing naturally-occurring wildfires to safely burn out. Historically, those involved in planning and designing landscapes have resisted the transformative power of fire by embracing spatial techniques that suppress and push fire away. However, this article highlights co-creative strategies that embrace and utilize pyric forces. It discusses how landscape architects can broaden their wildfire adaptation toolbox to incorporate land-fire stewardship techniques. The article also acknowledges the agency of landscape architects to pursue (or not pursue) projects in fire-prone areas, promotes collaboration with existing fire stewards to gain insights and include them as key members of project teams, and explores how landscape architects could become active stewards themselves.

● The risks and negative impacts of wildfire are intensifying globally

● The design and application of beneficial fire is a key strategy for reducing wildfire risk, supporting eco-cultural practices, and bolstering desired ecological habitats and functions

● Landscape architecture practitioners are increasingly presented with opportunities and potential responsibilities to serve as allies, team builders, communicators, and cultural provocateurs in promoting and implementing land-fire stewardship

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Climate Change Adaptation / Beneficial Fire / Cultural Burning / Prescribed Fire / Fire Suppression / Wildland Fire Use

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