Thinning + Burns Prevent Megafire Loss

A post‑fire analysis of 164 plots in California’s Dixie Fire found that stands treated with mechanical thinning followed by prescribed burns had only a 4% chance of total tree mortality, versus much higher losses in untouched stands. The surviving ponderosa plot in Plumas National Forest had two‑thirds of trees removed and a planned burn between 2003–2005, while the adjacent, untreated stand was obliterated. The result suggests the combo treatment outperforms thinning‑only or burning‑only approaches. — This strengthens the case for aggressive, proactive fuels management—streamlined prescribed burns and thinning—over passive protection, influencing environmental policy, permitting, and litigation around forest management.