Fire in the Pines is an educational festival dedicated to raising positive awareness about controlled burning in the longleaf pine ecosystem.

Without controlled burning the longleaf pines in the southeast United States would disappear. So, too, would the red-cockaded woodpeckers, venus flytraps and a host of other carnivorous and rare plants that need fire to thrive and survive. The importance of controlled burning is cause for an educational festival to spread awareness!
Fire once occurred naturally and regularly across North Carolina and the Southeast. Low-intensity fires burned every few years fueled by grass, leaves, pine straw, and other forest debris. They kept the forest open, allowing sunlight to penetrate to its floor and reducing buildup of dangerous fuel loads. Fire suppression altered the landscape, allowing fuels to accumulate and putting people and communities in jeopardy. Without fire, many native plants and animals would disappear and the safety of southeastern plant and wildlife communities would be at risk.

JOIN US FOR OUR 2023 FESTIVAL!

Virtual Events

iNaturalist Scavenger Hunt

Oct 2-9

Step 1: Download the FREE iNaturalist app and sign up for the Fire in the Pines Scavenger Hunt 2021 under projects.

Step 2: Get outside and visit local parks, public areas, or your own backyard to discover native plants and animals.

Step 3: Share your observations through iNaturalist for a chance to win prizes!

Photo Contest

Oct 2-10

Do you love exploring nature? Take pictures while you’re out adventuring.  Pictures can be of wildlife, plants, landscapes, or people out in nature and submit them to win custom Venus Flytrap Mugs!

Video Series

Check out our Mini Series with conservation professionals exploring what makes the longleaf pine ecosystem so special. Learn about:

  • Controlled Burns
  • Reptiles and Amphibians
  • Fire Equipment
  • Mammals in Longleaf
  • Carnivorous Plants
  • The Longleaf Ecosystem