The Five Seasons of Fire

September 11, 2025

We Didn’t Start the Fire:

Burn Unit 5

Written by: Paxton Caroline Hayes

Aerial photo provided by Red Oaks Plantation, all other photos taken by Paxton Caroline Hayes

Locations: McDuffie PFA in Dearing, GA and Red Oaks Plantation in Oakfield, Georgia


The Dormant Season

From late fall to early spring, cooler temperatures and dormant vegetation provide the conditions best suited for fuel-reduction burns. In Georgia, this is usually mid-November through early March. As fire moves through a dormant season landscape, above-ground vegetation is consumed while nutrients stored underground in root systems are left intact. This season of burning is used to maximize the growth of native species (such as wiregrass) and minimize the size of woody brush thickets (which include brambles and slash oaks) while maintaining plant biodiversity on a plot. 


Due to the nature of this season of prescribed fire, special care must be taken to avoid significant erosion after the burn. Dormant season burns will stay “black” until the spring green- up (around the beginning of March in the Southeast). This bare ground not only has a higher chance of eroding but is unsuitable for most wildlife due to the lack of vegetation cover. In the pictures below, you can see that the dormant season burn plot has no regenerating ground cover a month after the burn, while the growing season burn plot already has significant growth three weeks later. The dormant season burn was considered a significant success since complete elimination of non-pine vegetation was the objective, and no erosion had occurred after multiple significant rainfall events. 


The Growing Seasons

While dormant season burns are ideal for plots that are fuel-heavy, growing season burns can be better suited for wildlife management and ecological restoration objectives. These burns more closely resemble lighting-strike fires that historically occurred throughout the Southeast, aiding in co-evolutionary processes. Growing-season burns are also used to eliminate all fuel sources on a plot, when nutrients are above ground instead of in the root system. 


The main logistical considerations when planning growing-season burns are temperature and access. Burn plots are more difficult to navigate and monitor while vegetation is abundant and fuel loads are higher. Ambient air temperatures exceeding 85 degrees Fahrenheit also can lead to more intense fires and a greater chance of heat-related illnesses for the burn team. 


Late Spring (April in Georgia) 

  • Pro: Vegetation has the entire growing season to recover (lower chance for delayed mortality) 
  • Con: Weather is unpredictable, wildlife is nesting, and vegetation is more susceptible to heat damage due to less mature growth 


Summer (May in Georgia) 

  • Pro: Best time to kill undesirable hardwoods
  • Con: Lethal temperature levels are easier to reach (for vegetation that you want to survive) 


Late Summer or Post-Harvest (September and October in Georgia) 

  • Pro: High temperatures will help dry out larger fuels
  • Con: Smoke management will be more difficult due to the high amount of green fuels 


Early Fall (November in Georgia) 

  • Pro or Con (depending on burn objectives): Damaged or scorched vegetation is most likely to die because they have no time to recover before the dormant season 


Cross Burning

Land managers can also choose to “cross-burn” their plots, or conduct a dormant season burn one year and a growing season burn the next year. Some species, such as wiregrass, have co-evolved with fire in such a way that alternating growth-season burns are needed for the plant to germinate properly. Cross-burning also allows for land managers to take advantage of the fuel-reduction focus of dormant season burns and wildlife management objectives of growing season burns. 


Below are two neighboring burn plots in a pine savannah ecosystem. The cross-burned plot has significantly less hardwood competition and thriving wiregrass. It is easy to see how the wiregrass in the other plot, burned every 3-5 dormant seasons depending on the vegetation’s growth-rate, is being outcompeted by hardwoods and other scrub-brush vegetation. This mosaic pattern of burning (or having neighboring plots on differing burn cycles) is needed for increasing habitat biodiversity and wildlife usage. 

Press & Media Inquiries

For all press and media inquiries, please reach out to Tori Betsill, our Director of Development. Tori is here to assist you with any questions or information you may need about Southern Conservation Trust's initiatives, events, and conservation efforts. You can contact her directly at tori@sctlandtrust.org.

Contact Us

About Southern Conservation Trust

At Southern Conservation Trust, we are passionate about elevating nature through exceptional stewardship. Based in Georgia, our 501(c)(3) public charity has successfully conserved over 65,000 acres of land across the Southeast, including five public nature areas in Fayette County and the Fayette Environmental Education Center. We believe that protecting our natural spaces is just the beginning; everyone should have equal access to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Join us in our mission to foster a deeper connection between people and nature. Learn more at www.sctlandtrust.org.

LEARN MORE

Share Post

Recent Articles & Blogs

AGLT: Collaborating to Protect Georgia’s Wild Future

By Paxton Hayes • May 22, 2026
AGLT: Collaborating to Protect Georgia’s Wild Future

A Year in the Making: Southern Conservation Trust and City of Fayetteville Partner to Preserve Native Orchids

By Tori Betsill • April 22, 2026
FAYETTEVILLE, GEORGIA, April 22, 2026 – What began with the discovery of native Pink Lady’s Slipper orchids in 2023 has grown into a multi-year conservation effort, one that now serves as a powerful example of how thoughtful development and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. As plans move forward for the City Center Parkway in Fayetteville, a population of rare Pink Lady’s Slipper orchids was discovered growing within the pine understory of a 38.5-acre tract along Grady Avenue, largely hidden from public view. While not federally endangered, these native orchids are increasingly uncommon and highly sensitive to their environment. They are also protected under Georgia law and classified as a species of concern, meaning it is illegal to remove them without proper authorization, making their presence both special and vulnerable. Rather than allowing the plants to be lost as a result of development and construction, the Southern Conservation Trust (SCT) saw an opportunity. In May 2025, SCT approached City officials with a proposal to relocate the orchids to a nearby SCT-owned private preserve. With the City’s approval, SCT’s Director of Parks & Planning and members of its Conservation Team carried out the effort, ensuring the relocation was done responsibly and with the greatest chance of success. Over the following year, plans were refined, permits were secured, and timing was carefully aligned with the orchids’ natural growth cycle. With advisory input from members of the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, including experts from the Atlanta Botanical Garden and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, SCT’s Conservation Team began the delicate process of transplanting the orchids in early spring 2026, carefully relocating more than 100 individual plants with intact root systems to a safeguarded habitat at a nearby SCT-owned private preserve, where another population of Pink Lady’s Slippers already exists and thrives naturally. The work required precision, patience, and teamwork, as transplanting these orchids is notoriously difficult, even under ideal circumstances, and should only be undertaken with proper expertise and authorization. Each plant was carefully cataloged, tracked, and replanted under conditions designed to mirror its original environment, with close attention to growth stage and long-term viability. Early signs are encouraging, with many of the transplants already showing resilience following the move.

Newnan Arboretum Project Advanced by City of Newnan and Southern Conservation Trust

By Chris Doane • April 16, 2026
NEWNAN, GEORGIA, April 16, 2026 – The Southern Conservation Trust (SCT) and the City of Newnan have entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to champion and collaborate on the development of the Newnan Arboretum, a planned 29-acre greenspace located on Boone Drive. The Newnan Arboretum is envisioned as a community-centered natural destination that will celebrate native landscapes, promote environmental stewardship, and provide opportunities for outdoor education and passive recreation. It is also expected to serve as a future tourism destination, drawing visitors to experience its unique ecological and educational offerings. Over time, the site is anticipated to connect with the LINC, further enhancing accessibility and integration with the City’s growing network of trails and public spaces. Through this partnership, the Southern Conservation Trust will serve in an advisory capacity, providing expertise in native plant species, habitat restoration, and environmental education programming. SCT’s involvement will help ensure that the Arboretum reflects best conservation practices and serves as a model for sustainable land use. “This collaboration represents an exciting step forward in creating a space that blends conservation, education, and community connection,” shared Cleatus Philips, Newnan City Manager. “The Newnan Arboretum will be a lasting asset for residents and visitors alike. The Southern Conservation Trust’s long-standing experience partnering with local municipalities adds valued credibility to the project’s long-term success.” Chris Doane, President & CEO of the Southern Conservation Trust, added, “We are proud to partner with the City of Newnan on this important initiative. By focusing on native species and meaningful environmental education, the Newnan Arboretum will not only preserve the natural character of this land but also inspire a deeper appreciation for the environment.” The Newnan Arboretum reflects a shared commitment to enhancing quality of life, protecting natural resources, and fostering a stronger connection between people and the outdoors. For future details regarding project timelines, design, and community engagement opportunities, follow the City of Newnan on social media channels or sign up for their weekly newsletter: https://www.newnanga.gov/574/Weekly-Newsletter