Developing a Prescribed Burn Program

1. Developing a Prescribed Burn Program Belize Fire Workshop Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area Scott Simon

2. Session objectives • Describe the ecological background information helpful in development of a prescribed burn program • Describe the goals and operational fire environment influencing development of a burn program • Describe three different models of prescribed burn programs

3. Program development components • Consider fire regime • Develop ecological models • Develop program goals • Determine operational fire environment • Develop fire management plans (site and unit)

4. Program development components (continued) • Training • Equipment and supplies • Standard operating procedures • Neighbor and partner buy-in • Emergency response plan • Document your results

5. Fire Regime • Type • Frequency • Seasonality • Behavior • Severity • Size and pattern

6. Develop program goals • Demonstrate sustainable use of pine savanna resources and conservation of biodiversity • Utilize conservation fire program to develop/refine fire regimes, document ecological effects, and document accomplishment of challenging prescribed fire scenarios to efficiently conserve biological diversity.

7. Who is going to be interested in your fire management program • Focal species needs • Identify special burning unit hazards • Neighbors and people involved • Conservation organizations

8. Determine crew number and capabilities Staff, partners, or volunteers? Personal Protective Equipment • Nomex clothing * Fire goggles • Fire helmet * Chestpack • Radio * Matches • Fire shelter * Canteen Supplies & Equipment

9. Drip torch Fire rake Fire flapper Pulaski axe Water pack Leafblower Chainsaw ATV with water pump Truck with water pump Bulldozer Helicopter Burn equipment and supplies

10. Training • Crew member - fire fighting, basic fire behavior, basic tools • Crew boss - intermediate fire behavior, fire weather, suppression tactics, special training for ignition, holding, equipment • Burn boss - burn plan development, prescribed burn execution

11. Public Involvement/ Neighbor • Notifications • Pre management • visit • Public meeting • Pre-burn letter • Post sign • Day of burn visit

12. Work with Local OfficialsBring them in early. Pre-season visit. Share plan. Day of burn. Secure support from your boss • Get them involved • Benefits for program • Highlight cost savings • Show them results • But, be up front about costs and risks

13. Where to obtain funding for program and equipment • Rare species habitat maintenance • Wildlife habitat maintenance • Reduce fuel loads to prevent intense catastrophic wildfires • Reduce non-native species • Protect structures and people • In AR - Federal, State, and Foundations • Military, fire departments, USFS

14. Develop contingency response plan • To address escapes or wildfires that threaten others and need additional resources • To manage information and public perception around an event

15. Track Progress • Evaluating individual burns - did it meet management objectives. • Evaluating the change or maintenance of the resource - is the plant community moving in a desired direction. • Evaluating the program - Are you burning enough acres, safely, to accomplish your resource management goals.

16. The best way to develop a fire program is to visit someone else and customize SHARE YOUR INFORMATION!!!