Overview
- This is a story that challenges everything we have ever been told about forest fires
- Reveals how many species, including the Black-backed Woodpecker, thrive in the conditions created by severe wildfires
- Proposes practical ways to achieve a win-win scenario for conservation, timber production, and human safety
Access this book
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Other ways to access
About this book
In this book, avian ecologist and former PBS Birdwatch host Richard Hutto challenges conventional wisdom by revealing the hidden beauty and ecological importance of severely burned forests. Drawing on extensive field research and compelling storytelling, Hutto uncovers one of nature’s best-kept secrets: numerous species—including the black-backed woodpecker and the morel mushroom—thrive in conditions created only by intense wildfires. These and many other fire-dependent organisms have evolved to flourish in charred landscapes, a fact often overlooked by birdwatchers, land managers, and even fire researchers.
Blending science, fieldwork, and reflections from a lifelong career, this book has the potential to transform how we perceive forest fires. It offers a fresh perspective on fire’s role in maintaining biodiversity and invites readers to consider how revised land management practices could benefit both industry and the environment. Written in an engaging and accessible style, this book is ideal for birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, fire managers, and anyone curious about the true role of fire in our ecosystems.
Similar content being viewed by others
Table of contents (16 chapters)
-
Front Matter
-
Back Matter
Reviews
“I think it would be difficult after reading Hutto’s book to see the burnt forest landscape as anything but wonderous and beautiful. The Beautifully Burned Forest is a book that I wish I could get into the hands (and, of course, hope they read it) of every politician, agency land manager, and conservation organizations. It will surely make you exclaim as Hutto did every day in class—'Isn’t this cool!’” (George Wuerthner, The Wildlife News, thewildlifenews.com, September 21, 2025)
“This book, by the leading fire ecologist Dick Hutto, will transform your view of forest fires … Many species of birds, plants, and mushrooms are adapted and virtually confined to particular stages of post-fire succession … Read this beautifully written book, about beautifully burned forests! You’ll come to love natural species-rich forest mosaics.” (Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography, UCLA. US National Medal of Science, 1999. Pulitzer-Prize-winning author of “Guns Germs and Steel” and other internationally best-selling books)
“Dr. Richard Hutto's "A Beautifully Burned Forest" is a triumph, and a must read for anyone who cares about and wants to better understand forests, wildlife, and the natural world. Artfully weaving solid science into compelling narrative prose, Dr. Hutto tells us the real story about fire in our forests, the many animal and plant species that have evolved to depend on the unique forest habitat created by high-intensity fire, and the dangerous policies that stem from the outdated thinking that only live, green trees matter in our forest ecosystems.” (Chad Hanson, Ph.D., Wildfire Scientist with the John Muir Project, and author of “Smokescreen: Debunking Wildfire Myths to Save Our Forests and Our Climate”)
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Richard L. Hutto is Professor Emeritus in Biological Sciences and Wildlife Biology at the University of Montana. After joining the faculty in 1977, he taught courses in animal ecology, fire ecology, Montana wildlife, and ornithology across a nearly 40-year career. His early research dealt primarily with the ecology of migratory landbirds throughout the West—in Mexico in winter, the Southwest during spring and fall, and the Northern Rockies in summer. In 1990, he developed the USFS Northern Region Landbird Monitoring Program to generate data on bird distribution patterns so that we might better understand the ecological effects of various land-use practices. To promote informed decisions through use of those bird data, Hutto also established the Avian Science Center on the University of Montana campus in 2004. Following the Yellowstone fires of 1988, his research focus shifted toward the ecology of birds in burned forests—an interest he maintains to this day. Dr. Hutto also hosted a nationally televised PBS series called “Birdwatch,” which ran from 1998-2001.
Accessibility Information
PDF accessibility summary
This PDF has been created in accordance with the PDF/UA-1 standard to enhance accessibility, including screen reader support, described non-text content (images, graphs), bookmarks for easy navigation, keyboard-friendly links and forms and searchable, selectable text. We recognize the importance of accessibility, and we welcome queries about accessibility for any of our products. If you have a question or an access need, please get in touch with us at [email protected]. Please note that a more accessible version of this eBook is available as ePub.
EPUB accessibility summary
This ebook is designed with accessibility in mind, aiming to meet the ePub Accessibility 1.0 AA and WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards. It features a navigable table of contents, structured headings, and alternative text for images, ensuring smooth, intuitive navigation and comprehension. The text is reflowable and resizable, with sufficient contrast. We recognize the importance of accessibility, and we welcome queries about accessibility for any of our products. If you have a question or an access need, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: A Beautifully Burned Forest
Book Subtitle: Learning to Celebrate Severe Forest Fire
Authors: Richard L. Hutto
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-03180-8
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life Sciences, Biomedical and Life Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-032-03179-2Published: 29 August 2025
eBook ISBN: 978-3-032-03180-8Published: 28 August 2025
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XIV, 201
Number of Illustrations: 7 b/w illustrations, 38 illustrations in colour
Topics: Forestry, Ecology, Biodiversity, Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Science
Keywords
- Birds and Forest Fire
- Black-backed Woodpecker
- Birdwatching
- Ecological Fire Effects
- Ecological Fire Disturbance
- Fire Ecology
- Forest Fire
- Fire Effects
- Forest Management
- Fire Regimes
- Fire-dependent Birds
- Forest Disturbance
- Good Fire/Bad Fire
- Good Fires
- Historical Fire Regime
- Post-fire Salvage Logging
- Salvage Logging Effects
- Severe Forest Fire
- Wildfire Crisis
- Woodpeckers and Fire