Prior to modern civilization prescribed fire was used all throughout the world. Indigenous peoples, including North American tribes, used fire as a tool to manage wildlands for resources, much like we do today. However, more modern usage of the use of prescribed fire is derived from its absence during the early 20th century. Many ecosystems thrive because of the presence of fire. A lack of fire in these ecosystems can change the composition and diversity of plant life to that of an undesirable, non-native community. When the use of fire is suppressed, there has been a noticeable increase in the intensity and frequency of wildfires in those areas.