Fire-loving fungi help forests recover after wildfire

After a wildfire, forests can quickly turn into a charred landscape covered by an orange crust of fungi. Researchers say these fireloving organisms are among the first to return, helping break down harmful compounds in the soil and begin the recovery process. Scientists from the Canadian Forest Service and the University of British Columbia say pyrophilous fungi can survive in dormant form until heat triggers them. Once active, they consume ash, carbon, and toxic byproducts left by fire, while also supporting insects, bacteria, and other parts of the postfire food web. The research also suggests fungi may help stabilize soil and reduce erosion by binding soil particles and possibly breaking down waterrepellent layers that form after burns. With wildfires becoming larger and more frequent, scientists say understanding these microbes could be important for future forest recovery and ecosystem management.