The National Park Service sometimes creates controlled burns to mitigate wildfires. How does a controlled burn limit the spread of wildfires?

A controlled burn helps to remove plants and vegetation around buildings so a wildfire won’t destroy them.
A controlled burn temporarily shuts down parks so people won’t start campfires.
A controlled burn is used to make a path that helps a spreading wildfire arrive at a source of water.
A controlled burn removes dead vegetation that might otherwise help a wildfire start and spread.

A controlled burn removes dead vegetation that might otherwise help a wildfire start and spread.

A controlled burn limits the spread of wildfires by removing dead vegetation that could potentially fuel the fire. When conducted by the National Park Service, a controlled burn is used to intentionally burn areas of land under carefully controlled conditions. This process eliminates the accumulation of dried leaves, grass, and other plant material that can serve as fuel for wildfires. By reducing the amount of available fuel, a controlled burn creates a barrier that impedes the spread of wildfires, helps prevent them from reaching nearby structures, and reduces the intensity and severity of future fires. The main purpose is to manage the natural ecosystem and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.