10/01/2026
Did 18th century surveyors note fires? One of the outcomes of the pre-settlement vegetation project is to provide acres burned at the time of European settlement. Surveyors described lands as “timber killed by fire” or “land recently burned” throughout Ohio. As of mid-August, the project team has mapped 42.45 sq. miles of burned land which is about 0.16% of Ohio. The map shows areas of burned land marked in black.
Early 19th century surveyor Joseph Wood wrote about burned lands in northeastern Ohio, “…the timber has been destroyed by fire and is seldom found except in the valleys. A young has afterwards sprung up, which has also been killed. A third has sprouted up in the present season consisting of oak, hickory, sassafras, dogwood, green briars, grape vines and weeds.” Indigenous communities used fire to clear underbrush, for hunting, maintain/improve open habitats, and easier travel. These burned lands were most likely caused by Native Nations present in Ohio around 1800.
Division and other land managing organizations and agencies use prescribed fire today to maintain open habitats across the state. Our project team is curious what the final outcome will be for acres burned. Next Wednesday, we’ll have another post on Ohio’s 18th century vegetation. To learn more, visit our website: 18th Century Vegetation of Ohio | Ohio Department of Natural Resources
