A 20-year study conducted by the University of California, Berkeley in the Sierra Nevada has provided new evidence supporting prescribed burns as an effective way to manage forests and reduce wildfire risk. The study, released in November, suggests that CAL FIRE’s ongoing use of prescribed burns has been beneficial, not only in lessening the risk of wildfire but also in helping forests recover and grow stronger over time. The findings are giving fire officials additional motivation to continue the practice, which could also improve insurance costs for homeowners in mountain communities.