Longleaf pine forests in North Carolina were historically abundant but mostly lost due to human activities. Researchers studied fire scars in tree stumps to learn about past fires in a piedmont longleaf pine woodland. They found evidence of frequent fires every 3-4 years from the 1700s to the 1800s, likely started by humans. This is the first study of its kind in this area, shedding light on the historical fire activity in this important ecosystem. More research is needed to understand fire patterns in the region over longer periods and larger areas.