There are many uses for prescribed burning in the management of forests, chaparral, grasslands, watersheds, and wildlife. Some of these uses have been pointed out in this paper. THere are also many dnagers in using fire, both in its application and in its results. To minimize harmful effects, fire should never be used during extended dry periods; burns should always take place when the the soil is damp or wet. Moreover the user should be an experienced professional with a thorough knowledge of ecosystems, weather, and fire behavior. © Society for Range Management. Abstract reproduced by permission.