Prescribed Fire in the Catskills: Restoring a Lost Tool

In this episode, Brett sits down once again with Ryan Trapani, Director of Forest Services at the Catskill Forest Association, to explore the surprising ecological value of prescribed fire in the Northeast.

Recorded fireside at the Kaatscast studio, this conversation digs into the science, history, and cultural memory of fire in the Catskills, and why small, carefully managed burns may be key to healthier forests, richer wildlife habitat, and a more resilient landscape.

Key Topics

• Why fire disappeared from Northeastern land management — and why that’s a problem

• How Indigenous communities shaped ecosystems with fire

• What “pyrogenic species” like oak and chestnut need to thrive

• The Catskill Forest Association’s new prescribed burn program

• How controlled burns can improve wildlife habitat and biodiversity

• The challenges of permits, insurance, and public perception

• What early‑successional habitat is — and why we’re losing it

• Lessons from the Albany Pine Bush and Shawangunk Ridge

About the CFA Prescribed Burn Program

Ryan outlines CFA’s cautious, incremental approach to reintroducing fire on private lands — starting with low‑complexity field burns, building community familiarity, and navigating the regulatory and insurance landscape. The goal: restore a long‑missing tool to the Catskills’ silvicultural toolbox.