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Natural FIRE is recognized by the National Park Service as one of the ecological factors contributing to the perpetuation of plants and animals in a given habitat. As such, fires in national parks resulting from natural causes may be allowed to run their course under specified condition^. Prescribed fire may be used as a substitute for natural fire where this can achieve approved vegetation or wildlife management objectives. To provide the facts upon which to base such a program, researchers at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are studying the role of fire in various plant communities; of greatest interest at this time are forests of the giant sequoia-mixed conifer type.