For thousands of years, fire occurred regularly throughout the Southern Appalachian region, but over the past century fire prevention and suppression have profoundly changed the landscape. Without periodic fire, ecologically important native oaks and pine forests can become overloaded with highly flammable shrubs and fuels, resulting in damaging wildfires that threaten communities and endanger firefighters. These changes have led resource managers to implement prescribed burns in an effort to restore fire-dependent ecosystems. Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health, and reduce wildfire risk. Every season, around 35,000 acres of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest benefit from prescribed fire. Fire-management experts use years of training and experience to judge the best conditions for prescribed burns, carefully planning and executing them according to weather conditions, topography, fuel types, and equipment. Regular cycles of prescribed fire help wildflowers, plants, and wildlife thrive.