Controlled burning does a HUGE amount of good -- just try hiking through any forest where every single tiny fire has been put out for decades. The downfall, brush and litter is often impassable -- my sister bought a house up against National Forest years ago, and I was totally freaked out when I saw the jackstrawed downfall was over TEN FEET OFF the ground!!!

She got the quick version of how to fireproof her land....

Any fire that starts in an area like that can't even be touched... so, yes, burning is a wonderful tool. Like Mike said, though, the FS gets so gunshy about defending it.... they get so vilified by a public that doesn't understand the outdoors, for one. I'm still amazed at how many people are born here, where fires have been igniting and burning for thousands of years, who still don't understand it's a natural phenomenon.