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Renewed Growth
Prairie fires get rid of dead and and decaying leaves and logs that are covering the ground. Shrubs and grasses then can sprout. Burned trees also often can regenerate. Cones or seeds that trees keep sheltered and closed during a fire are able to open and multiply or colonize when the flames are gone. In the rare instance of total destruction, seeds from neighboring lands blow in and regrowth begins.
Plant Growth and Adaptation
Plants that live through prairie fires can adapt and become healthier. Some plants can resprout from their branches or roots after fire consumes the rest of the plant. New life can grow out of plant trunks in some species. Some species of lilies lie dormant until fire sweeps through the area, then bloom once the fire removes the brush. Other plants, including the flowering plant lachenalia sargeantii, the shrub fynbos and some grass tree species, can bloom and releaf only after a brush fire. Plants in areas prone to wildfires adapt to protect themselves from the flames, such as by producing fire-resistant seeds and increasing their ability to regenerate.
Animals Thrive
Animals can thrive in lands burned by prairie fires. When a fire is burning, animals hunt the perimeter of the flames for creatures that are trying to escape. Once the fire is out, insects that make their habitat in newly burned trees have new homes and the birds that eat the insects have a fresh food supply. Other animals can forage through the burned area for resources in addition to the resources available in the unburned area.
Soil Improvement
When a prairie fire burns vegetation, the brush turns into ash that is rich in nitrogen and minerals. This ash works back into the soil, leaving it ripe for regrowth. Productivity in such soil is greatly increased. Also, the soil temperature increases after a prairie fire because the land is exposed to increased direct sunlight. This higher soil temperature improves plant regrowth and allows the plants to grow deeper roots.