The decision to use prescibed fire is one which should be taken with the advice of a qualified professional.  In Oklahoma, fire is used for a number of natural resource management objectives.  These include: 

• Control of eastern redcedar - Without maintenance, some Oklahoma landscapes begin to shift towards a cedar forest type. This forest type was historically restricted to north slopes, canyons and rock outcrops where fire didn’t burn regularly.
• Control hardwood encroachment - Periodic burning also helps control hardwood encroachment onto old fields and into managed pine stands.
• Reduce fuel accumulations - Periodic burning reduces the annual fuel accumulation in forests and grasslands reducing fire intensity.
• Improve wildlife habitat - Periodic burning improves habitat for Oklahoma wildlife by modifying cover, and food quality and volume.
• Increase biodiversity - Periodic burning induces environmental changes that result in plant and animal communities that are adapted to fire.