Final answer:
The forest department uses controlled burns to reduce fuel accumulation, prevent severe wildfires, and maintain healthy ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The forest department may initiate controlled burns or prescribed fires for a variety of reasons related to ecosystem management and safety. Prescribed fires can help reduce fuel accumulation, preventing more severe wildfires that could arise from the unchecked buildup of dead wood and dry plant material. This practice also promotes new growth that can enhance the habitat for certain species. Additionally, by managing forest health through controlled fires, the risk of destructive natural fires can be reduced. At times when such fires are not controlled, like in cases of policy-driven fire suppression, it can lead to an unnatural buildup of fuel which then poses a greater risk during dry seasons or through accidental ignition.