The present drought conditions foreshadow a serious bushfire season for southeastern Australia. After last summer's severe bush fires in New South Wales there were calls for more frequent and extensive use of fuel reduction burning of forests and other areas to enable firefighting agencies to protect life and property. The frequency and intensity of these fires to achieve this aim will have impacts on biodiversity, air and water quality and aesthetic values of the natural environment. This paper examines the use of prescribed burning regimes in the forests of southern Australia to protect people and their property from bushfires and at the same time to maintain natural ecosystems.