For decades, the instinct has been simple: wildfires are bad for the environment, right?

But when it comes to California's giant sequoias, scientists say that fires may actually help save them.

A new study from the University of California, Davis found that carefully planned prescribed burns dramatically increased the odds that these ancient giants survived devastating wildfire seasons.

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And these burns aren't just good news for trees. The same findings could be applied to protecting the people, homes and communities that also face wildfire risk.

Fighting fire with fire

The answer lies in the kind of fire. Prescribed burns are intentionally set under carefully monitored conditions to clear away dead trees, brush and other vegetation that would otherwise act as fuel during a wildfire.

Without that buildup, future wildfires become less intense, spread more slowly and are easier for firefighters to contain.

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That's the key to giving giant sequoias (and people) a fighting chance when an unintentional fire breaks out.

(MORE: Do this now to protect your home from wildfires)

The research

After analyzing roughly 26,000 giant sequoias using satellite imagery and laser mapping, experts found prescribed burns reduced the trees' odds of dying by about 77%, preventing an estimated 1,900 sequoia deaths.

In fact, sequoias that had been treated with controlled fire within the previous decade were nearly four times more likely to survive than untreated trees.

That's a remarkable finding for trees that can live more than 3,000 years, weigh as much as 15 blue whales and have long been considered almost fireproof.

(MORE: Cows that burp less could be helping to save the planet)

What's the catch?

There are, of course, trade-offs.

Prescribed fires create temporary smoke that can affect air quality, require significant planning and resources and carry a small risk of escalation if conditions get out of hand. 

Still, scientists say the benefits increasingly outweigh the risks.

As climate change fuels larger, hotter wildfires, this new research gives us a leg up on preparation. 

By embracing strategies like prescribed burning, communities can better protect forests, wildlife and even homes from the unpredictability of wildfires.