 Fire can be nature's way to maintain an ecosystem and strip away overgrowth. In a controlled environment, a prescribed fire can offer the same benefits of improving wildlife habitat and reducing wildfire risks, but preparation and safety are the key. Start by installing fire breaks on the outside margin of the area to be burned. Remove all combustible fuel in the fire break and make it wider than the height of adjacent plants and fuel. Terrain features in other passive fire breaks like streams, lakes, roads or trails can serve as the boundary of the fire. Fire breaks can be installed with a bulldozer, farm disc or rototiller to expose bare soil. If heavy equipment can't be used, a backpack leaf blower can help move loose fuel and create a simple fire break. If your goal is to minimize disturbing the soil, a mode or wetline can prevent the fire from jumping out of the control area.