Dampener Vine

Vines that secrete a thick, fire-retardant chemical. They have evolved a partially-symbiotic relationship with several other species, including humans. Pines, cedars, and other normally vine-resistant trees allow Dampener Vines to grow on them, to protect themselves from burning up in fires. Humans cultivate them, especially on dwellings.

Dampener Vine's secretion is highly fire-resistant, but unfortunately is also somewhat irritating to the skins of a very large number of creatures. Also, once, a forest with an extremely large number of Dampener Vines built up a rediculously large amount of burnable material. Eventually, this build-up sparked a Firestorm, that created yet another barren patch. Ever since, Dampener Vines have been under a certain amount of disfavor, and are usually cut except when needed.