Administration

ESTABLISHING MANAGEMENT UNITS

Prescribed burning programs vary from the individual land owner who wants to burn a portion of his ownership, to consultants who have numerous clients and numerous prescribed burning contacts, to large ownerships with multiple management objectives.  In each case the prescribed burning plan should be part of a comprehensive land management plan.

In deciding on size and layout of Unit (Compartment, Block, Stand), consider:

1. Management Objectives
2. Prescribed Burning History
3. Topography
4. Access Roads

Protection From Fire

The use of permanent fire breaks can be used as access roads and wildlife strips, especially if seeded with wildlife food. The original cost is more than plowed fire breaks but will be cheaper during the life of the stand. Maintenance will be cheaper, burning cost will be cheaper and there will be less erosion.

Temporary fire break                                       Permanent fire break

ADMINISTERING A PRESCRIBED BURNING PROGRAM

Determine average number of days available in your area when weather parameters meet both your land management and smoke management objectives for prescribed burning (especially understory burning).  A through knowledge of fuel moisture as it effects fire behavior can expand the number of burning days in an area.

Scout areas that may need burning treatment - locate on administrative map.

Select areas to burn this year. Overplan 10 to 25 percent so you can substitute if necessary--also to get extra areas burned if weather is favorable. (Next year may have few, if any, good burning days.) This is especially critical for understory burning. Do this on an annual bases. Make it a part of your annual plan of work

Consider amount that can be burned in one day. - Consider possible smoke problems. - Make written prescription for each area and locate on administrative map. Set priorities on blocks planned for burning. Consider "must burn this year", heavy fuel loading, sensitive sites that require a very narrow burning window and areas where smoke could be a problem.

The initial reduction burn is the most critical. May take 2 to 4 burns to reduce fuel to a management level. Then maintain with burns on regular basis every 2 to 4 years. The composition will slowly change to forbs and grasses.

Advantages of Periodic Maintenance Burns

• Can burn with wider range of weather conditions.
• Less smoke is produced
• Less site preparation will be needed
• Improved wildlife habitat

Remember, the initial burn is the most critical

QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

Training and experience is important for:

• The person that makes the decision to use fire.
• The person that makes the prescriptions.
• The person in charge of the burns.

Trained people can get more burning done and do a better job. Techniques, type and order of burning can be adjusted to fit day. Can burn more on marginal days. Will generally have better quality of burns with no smoke problem.

PERMANENT RECORDS

Written plans are a must and are required under the “Certification Program”.

• Will help in scheduling burning program.
• Can better plan weather needs.
• Can plan initial burns that need more exacting weather conditions.
• Can serve as a check list.
• Less possibility of escape.

ADMINISTRATIVE MAPS

Use an administrative map to keep a permanent record of your prescription burns. Use a legend to show when burned and areas planned to burn this year. Put date in blocks when burned. Use different colors for different years to show on same map. Also show along roads, areas that are fog-prone.

• Can keep track of previous burning done, where and when.
• Can keep track of burns planned for future.
• Can better plan all burns.
• Can show SSA’S and fog-prone highway areas on map.

SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING YOUR BURNING PROGRAM

Utilize All Burning Days

1. Secure and use weather forecasts.
2. Know and understand fuel moisture and it effect on fire behavior.
3. Give prescribed burning first priority
4. Burn under Large-size trees or stands with low fuel loading on marginal days. 
5. Use the "best" burning days for the more critical burns that need more specific weather conditions.

Consider Four-Wheelers

They can be fitted with a burning torch that can string fire on either side. A small water /retardant tank can also be installed on the front for suppressing spot fires.

1. Can burn large area in one day.
2. Can use to patrol lines as well as setting lines.
3. Available whenever needed.

Consider Using “Water Buggies”

Permanent fire breaks make the use of “water buggies” feasible.  Water buggies help in holding the prescribed burn and doing mop-up to reduce the impacts of residual smoke.

The use of water buggies necessitates a water supply often provided by some sort of tanker.

Volunteer fire departments usually have good water supply capabilities and may be enlisted for support.

Consider Aerial Ignition

Can burn very large area in one day, BUT special care is needed. More experienced and qualified personnel are also needed.

1. Can result in mass ignition.
2. Need to burn separate blocks at one time instead of one large area.
3. Don't do all burning in one watershed.
4. Complete burning by early afternoon.
5. Don't be stampeded into using on marginal days.
6. Don’t ignite too much at one time as it may result in mass ignition and extreme intensity.
7. Give Smoke Management Top Priority
8. Utilize smoke management guidelines or screening system
9. Document as you do the burning.
10.  Use higher dispersion index, 60+
11. Use higher ventilation factor, 4+
12. Be sensitive to the volume of smoke produced and major SSA downwind as much as 100 miles.

Keep Public Legislators and Weather Forecasters Informed

• Invite them out on a prescribed burn
• Inform them about:
  1. Resource value of timberland
  2. Needs for prescribed burning
  3. Explain how it is a natural part of pine ecosystem

Prescribed Burning Young Stands

The initial burn in a young stand (plantation or natural} is very critical. It has to be done under exacting weather conditions and with experienced personnel. Start out with larger (older) stands and only work done to the minimum requirements listed below when you have gained the necessary experience and such burns are needed.

1. Diameter at ground level should be 3" to 5"
2. Bark should be ½" or thicker
3. Healthy crown - should be dark green and full.
4. Must have cold temperatures (under 40 degrees) so needles won't reach lethal temperature.
5. Substantial in stand  winds are needed to dissipate heat.
6. Soil should be wet and the lower fuel, damp; KBDI 400 or less.
7. Use ONLY backing fire.

NOTE: To be effective, prescribed burning must be given top priority when needed weather conditions arrive. Goals should be established but not quotas!

The following table suggests burning strategies for various resource management objectives.  Fire objectives must be developed to accomplish the resource objective.