Fire use is increasingly recognised as a central component of integrated land management in fire-prone places. Historically, fire use has been commonplace in many places in Ireland, where field burning is an established practice with a long pedigree among upland farmers seeking to improving forage among other benefits. This practice has been subject to controversy as wildfires – a hazard often associated with upland burning practice – continue to gain public attention and concern. This research seeks to understand the practice of field burning from the viewpoint of practitioners themselves through focus groups with upland burners conducted in a variety of locations across Ireland. Discussions focused on the history of field burning, reasons for its use, and how knowledge of the techniques involved in burning has been passed down through generations. The narrative that emerges is that of a critical livelihood-supporting practice steeped in social and ecological value but threatened by stringent regulation and shifting public opinion. We suggest that one way to preserve this practice may be to establish more formal linkages between fire use practitioners and Ireland’s fire services, public land managers and regulators to promote appropriate use of traditional fire within modern legal and best practice frameworks.

在容易发生火灾的地方，人们越来越多地认识到使用火是土地综合管理的重要组成部分。从历史上看，使用火在爱尔兰的许多地方很普遍，田间焚烧是一种既定的做法，在寻求改善牧草和其他好处的旱地农民中，血统很长。这种做法一直受到争议，因为野火（一种经常与高地燃烧做法有关的危害）继续受到公众的关注和关注。这项研究旨在通过从爱尔兰各地各地进行的高地燃烧器焦点小组从业者本人的角度来了解野外燃烧的实践。讨论集中在田间燃烧的历史，使用原因，以及有关燃烧技术的知识如何世代相传。出现的叙述是一种重要的谋生手段，其实践具有社会和生态价值，但受到严格的监管和舆论转变的威胁。我们建议，保持这种做法的一种方法可能是在消防从业人员与爱尔兰的消防部门，公共土地管理者和监管机构之间建立更正式的联系，以促进在现代法律和最佳实践框架内适当使用传统的消防。