The effect of fires on soils is a hot topic of research, particularly among those who study what’s known as “the vadose zone.” The vadose zone is the portion of the Earth’s surface that extends from the land surface to the water table. It contains soil, minerals, nutrients, rocks, air, water, roots, organic matter, microorganisms, and animal life and is critical to life on Earth, regulating water, plant growth, and the movement of nutrients and contaminants.