Fire exclusion over the last several decades allowed mesophytic (moisture-retaining) species to begin a transition to non-oak dominance in upland hardwood forests. This week, Dr. Marcus Lashley sits down with Dr. Heather Alexander and Dr. Steve Brewer to discuss the role of fire in ensuring oak forests continue to flourish into the next generation, how changes in fuels and flammability affect our ability to burn, and why the problem is more complex than just reintroducing fire.