Title: Controlled Burns Prove Effective in Protecting Homes from Wildfires in California After the destructive Park fire swept through Cohasset, Northern California, volunteer Dallas Koller witnessed the devastation but also found hope – homes where intentional burns had taken place had survived. These prescribed fires, conducted to reduce wildfire risk, demonstrated their effectiveness in protecting properties. Despite the proven benefits of intentional burns, California struggles to meet its goal of burning 400,000 acres annually to mitigate fire threat. However, research indicates that low-intensity fires, including prescribed burns, reduce wildfire risk by about 60 percent and have aided in protecting areas such as Yosemite National Park. While the state is increasing its use of controlled burns, challenges such as limited resources, weather conditions, and community opposition hinder their widespread implementation. The U.S. Forest Service's experience also highlighted the risk of prescribed burns gone wrong. As California continues to grapple with devastating fire seasons, interest and investment in controlled burns have surged. While the state government has allocated significant funding for wildfire prevention programs, experts emphasize the need for more resources to scale up these efforts. The success of prescribed burns was evident in Cohasset, where homes that underwent controlled fires remained unscathed during the Park fire. However, concerns remain about the adequacy of these measures and the potential impact on properties that do not receive this form of protection. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, the positive outcomes of intentional burns in safeguarding properties offer a glimmer of hope in the fight against catastrophic wildfires in California. Please note that this paraphrased newspaper article presents a condensed and rephrased version of the original article's content.