PRESCRIBED BURNS

Prescribed burns are important for sustainable ecosystems as it is one of the most effective and cost-efficient land management tools. Conducting a prescribed burn can produce benefits such as hazardous fuel reduction, a safer working environment for firefighters during a wildfire and promotion of tree and native plant growth alongside a stronger, healthier ecosystem. 

Please consider the following precautions and guidelines to help make sure your burn goes to plan.

The links below can assist prescribed burn managers with each step of planning and implementing a safe and effective prescribed burn. Links are also available to provide more information to those who are just becoming interested in prescribed burning. Texas A&M Forest Service supports prescribed fire implementation by training and qualified individuals. Click here to contact Texas A&M Forest Service for further information. 

By engaging with local support agencies, prescribed fires can serve as a great way to prepare for wildfires across the state and help us better serve you.

Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Course

Texas A&M Forest Service and its partners hold an annual Prescribed Burn Manager Training each spring (May/June) in the Lufkin, Texas area. The course is open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Limited seating is available and priority is given to students who meet the experience requirements for the Texas Department of Agriculture certification. Students who pass the final exam will meet the education requirements for becoming a TDA Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager in region 4 (East Texas). 

Additional requirements for certification include: 3 years of prescribed burning experience in this region, 30 days of prescribed burning in any region, 5 days of prescribed burning as the responsible individual, and qualifying insurance policy (TDA Prescribed Burn Program).The field day of this course requires students to demonstrate an ability to safely participate in a prescribed burn. 

Next Course

To be announced.  For future CIPBM course announcements, visit Texas Department of Agriculture - Prescribed Burn Training.

For more information contact Andy McCrady, Texas A&M Forest Service- Program Coordinator- Fuels, at wmccrady@tfs.tamu.edu or simply fill out the registration form when it becomes available at this website in early spring.

 Soil and Water Quality BMPs for Firebreaks and Prescribed Fire  If you're a certified and insured prescribed burn manager looking for additional training and information, check out these videos from our latest Fire Training Webinar:

Burn Plan Parameters for Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Managers

Step 1 - Writing a Prescribed Burn Plan

Prescribed Burn Plans are documents utilized by individuals conducting a prescribed burn to outline the proposed plan of action. Prescribed burn plans are outlined in many land management plans as they are integral to the overall land management strategy of landowners and land managers. 

These documents usually take the form of a fillable template, are composed prior to the operation taking place, and are used as a reference by the “burn boss” during the burning period. There are many different burn plan versions in use, but it is generally recognized that the minimum burn plan has the following elements: Ownership and burn boss info, objectives and goals, site information, resources required for the burn, site description, weather and conditions required, safety and contingency plan, notification plan, Go/No-go checklist.

Step 2 - Go/No-Go Checklist for the Day of the Prescribed Burn

 A Go/No-Go Checklist is a list of actions that the prescribed burn manager takes and checks off as a record to show that the treatment was implemented within the planned prescription and in a safe manner. The links on this page provide a step-by-step process to complete this checklist by providing all the necessary links to make notifications, check weather and fuels, and have resources in place.

Step 3 - Texas Prescribed Burn Reporting System

Notify Texas A&M Forest Service Prior to Burning

Texas A&M Forest Service Smoke Management Plan