Without fire, grasslands would not exist. The frequently dry, fine fuels ignite easily, allowing fires to travel at the speed of the wind for hundreds of miles under wildfire conditions. The interplay between vegetation, fire, climate, humans, and grazing shaped the ecosystems of the North American Great Plains.1 Individual responses of various species of wildlife and plants native to this region can vary, but overall the grassland systems are well-adapted to frequent fire, and for many grassland species, fire is essential for their persistence.
