For thousands of years, California Indian communities have used cultural
fire to steward the land, promote ecosystem health, and enhance the
growth of basketweaving materials. Cultural burning is a traditional
practice that involves the intentional and controlled use of fire to manage
landscapes, revitalize plant life, and ensure the availability of high-quality
weaving materials such as hazel, willow, redbud, juncus, and beargrass.
Cultural Fire & Basketweaving
Fire plays a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems for
basketweavers. Properly timed burns encourage the growth of straight,
flexible, and pest-free weaving materials, reduce invasive species, and
improve access to gathering areas. Without regular burning, plants
become overgrown, brittle, and difficult to use for traditional basketry.
CIBA’s Efforts to Support Cultural Fire
We advocate for the protection, restoration, and continuation of cultural
fire practices across California. Through partnerships with Tribes,
government agencies, and land stewards, CIBA works to:
- Educate about the cultural significance of fire through workshops and events.
- Support policy changes that restore Indigenous land stewardship practices.
- Empower basketweavers by improving access to healthy gathering areas.
- Strengthen inter generational knowledge-sharing around cultural fire.
By supporting and revitalizing cultural burning, CIBA ensures that future generations of weavers can continue their traditions with strong, resilient, and sustainable materials.
CIBA Past Supporting Efforts
California Fire Resources