This chapter discusses the use of charcoal analysis in lake sediments to reconstruct long-term fire occurrence, complementing dendrochronological and historical records. It highlights the growing interest in considering fire as an ecosystem process and the need for forest managers to understand prehistoric fire regimes. The authors review site selection, chronology, and methodology in charcoal analysis, emphasizing the theoretical and empirical basis for the technique. Charcoal analysis quantifies the accumulation of charred particles in sediments, with charcoal peaks indicating past fires. Pollen and lithologic data are also used to detect and understand fire impacts on vegetation and watershed adjustments. The production, transport, and deposition of charcoal are discussed, including the factors affecting charcoal accumulation and its transport over distances. Studies following modern fires confirm model predictions, showing a decrease in charcoal abundance away from the fire source, with larger particles being more localized and smaller particles traveling greater distances.This chapter discusses the use of charcoal analysis in lake sediments to reconstruct long-term fire occurrence, complementing dendrochronological and historical records. It highlights the growing interest in considering fire as an ecosystem process and the need for forest managers to understand prehistoric fire regimes. The authors review site selection, chronology, and methodology in charcoal analysis, emphasizing the theoretical and empirical basis for the technique. Charcoal analysis quantifies the accumulation of charred particles in sediments, with charcoal peaks indicating past fires. Pollen and lithologic data are also used to detect and understand fire impacts on vegetation and watershed adjustments. The production, transport, and deposition of charcoal are discussed, including the factors affecting charcoal accumulation and its transport over distances. Studies following modern fires confirm model predictions, showing a decrease in charcoal abundance away from the fire source, with larger particles being more localized and smaller particles traveling greater distances.