Some forest managers have had concerns that prescribed burning after drought will stress mature pines, and increase their susceptibility to beetle attack. However, this concern resulted in many missed opportunities for applying fire after a recent drought abated, as not burning was seen as the conservative option. The best science indicates the opposite is true: that regular prescribed burning lowers pine drought stress through control of hardwoods that compete for water. Also, regular burning creates a forest structure that can interfere with beetle communication and mating success.