Fire is part of the national park story. In the late 1800s the first national parks were created. The science of ecology did not exist and few understood the best ways to care for parks. Fires were seen as a threat to grand scenery and were put out. At about the same time, wildfires destroyed communities and killed hundreds of people in the West and Midwest. The public agreed that fire was an enemy to be fought.

For much of the 20th century great emphasis was placed on fire suppression, not just by the National Park Service, but by many agencies. By the 1950's more people were thinking differently.

Research showed the role fire often played in maintaining healthy ecosystems. By the 1960s some park staff began using fire to manage lands. The National Park Service became a leader in fire science and research.

In 1968, National Park Service policy changed. Protecting human lives and property remained the first priority, but naturally caused fires and prescribed fire were used to keep some park landscapes healthy or reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires.

As an agency and as a nation we must keep learning to address the challenges we have created. These include the effects of decades of fire suppression, putting homes and communities in harm's way, and poor planning. We need to develop even better ways of living with fire, for it is an integral part of our world.

We offer this website to help you find books and other information to learn more about wildland fires.

eFire.org is brought to you through a partnership between the National Park Service Fire Management Program and Eastern National, a non-profit partner of the National Park Service. Both organizations are dedicated to promoting fire education and prevention in America's national parks. Since 1947, Eastern National has donated $70.7 million to the National Park Service – thanks to purchases by national park supporters like YOU!