The use of fire in the management of the grassy open forests and woodlands of north-eastern Australia is reviewed and discussed in relation to the reports from else-where. Fire is used mainly to remove top hamper prior to or at the commencement of the wet season in order to make the new season's growth more accessible. Fire may induce out-of-season growth in south-eastern Queensland following burning in spring when there is adequate soil moisture, and in north-eastern Queensland in late summer when the herbage is maturing but soil moisture not yet depleted. Apart from the important use of fire to form fire breaks the other reasons for burning are largely of local significance only. Fire will continue to be used but pasture improvement will reduce the necessity to burn regularly. Planned burning and conservation of standing forage are suggested to provide low quality feed reserves which may be used in conjunction with urea/molasses supplementation.