In some ecosystems fire is disastrous. It destroys birds and the habitats they require. In other ecosystems, however, fire plays an important and positive role. Without recurrent fires those ecosystems and some of the species in them could not exist. A natural or prescribed fire maintains the ecosystem in much the same way you maintain your yard by mowing it.

Fire played an important role in the ancient redwood and pine forests of North America. By opening up the forest, eliminating some trees species, and influencing the growth of others, fire created unique habitats for specialized birds such as the White-headed Woodpecker and the Kirtland's Warbler.

Lightening is the primary source of natural fire in the environment. In North America The highest incidence of thunderstorms occurs in the extreme Southeast, where they occur on more than 80 days per year. It is not surprising, therefore, that the Southeast provides many examples of trees and birds that have special adaptations to survive frequent fires.