CONNECTICUT –Plant science researchers and the UConn Fire Department are using prescribed burns to mitigate brush fires and study the role of microbes in soil recovery to generate new insights to help Connecticut manage rising wildfire risk. …In the fall of 2024, Connecticut saw a record 605 wildfires, which burned more than 500 acres and prompted a statewide emergency declaration, a temporary burn ban, and multi‑agency firefighting support. …As Connecticut prepares for a future where these types of fires become the norm, UConn alum Zachary Placzek ’25 (CAHNR) is helping researchers in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) and members of the UConn Fire Department (UCFD) practice implementing prescribed burning to manage forest safety and restore habitat. The team is also conducting cutting-edge research to see how this method affects soil health, exploring microbial treatments to improve and influence ecosystem regrowth.