Rx Fire Planning and Evaluation

Objectives 1. Identify key elements; both required and recommended to be addressed in every prescription. 2. Write clear and measurable objectives for specific burns. 3. Develop a prescription which meets legal requirements, and agency/landowner objectives, and best management practices for Florida. 4. Describe the contingency plan elements for an escaped prescribed fire in Florida. 5. Execute an evaluation for a prescribed burn.

Prescription A written plan establishing the necessary criteria for starting, controlling, and extinguishing a prescribed burn.

Required Elements of a Prescription 1. Stand or site description 2. Map of the area being burned 3. Number of personnel and equipment types to be used 4. Desired weather factors; including but not limited to; a) Surface wind speed and direction b) Transport wind speed and direction c) Minimum mixing height d) Minimum relative humidity e) Maximum temperature f) Minimum fine fuel moisture

Required Elements of a Prescription 5. Desired fire behavior factors such as: a. Type of burn technique b. Flame length c. Rate of spread d. Fuel conditions 6. Time and date the prescription was prepared 7. The authorization date and time period of authorization 8. An evaluation and approval of the anticipated impact of the proposed burn on related smoke sensitive areas 9. Signature and number of Certified Prescribed Burn Manager

1) Stand Or Site Description Required 1. Location and size 2. Burn History 3. Soils 4. Plant Communities (Overstory & Understory) 5. Fuels 6. Topography 7. Special Features

Stand or Site Description EXAMPLES; LocationS: 20 T: 1S R: 24E Vegetation Type Flatwoods with dense palmetto Acres 70 Fuel Model 7

2) Unit Map

3) Equipment & Personnel Needs What equipment and how many people do you need to achieve your goals and to conduct a safe burn? Examples: Examples: 20 acre fire using interior strip flanks might only need one tractor and 3 firefighters 20 acre fire using interior strip flanks might only need one tractor and 3 firefighters Think about your contingency plan too – do you want an additional plow near the cypress strand? Think about your contingency plan too – do you want an additional plow near the cypress strand?

4) Weather Conditions Fuel Conditions Combined with Weather Conditions and Topography Will Determine Fire Behavior. Fuel Conditions Combined with Weather Conditions and Topography Will Determine Fire Behavior.

Prescription Parameters Acceptable Range Fuel Model: 7 Flatwoods Surface (Mid-flame) Wind Speed1-3 20’ Wind Speed & Direction6-12SW, S Transport Wind Speed & Direction9-18Any Mixing Height<1700 Dispersion Index (Day)40-60 Maximum Temperature75-95 Minimum Relative Humidity35%-60% Mimimum Fine Fuel Moisture6% Weather Factors

5) Desired fire behavior Burn technique(s) Burn technique(s) Flame length Flame length Rate of Spread Rate of Spread Fuel conditions Fuel conditions

Fire Behavior Factors Acceptable Range Fuel Model: 7 Flatwoods Burn TechniquesBacking, Flanking Strip Head, Spot Flame Length6’ – 12’ Rate of Spread1 – 12Chs/hr.

6. Time and Date of Prescription: Date prescription was prepared Date prescription was prepared 7. The Authorization Date and Time Period of Authorization

8) Smoke Screening An evaluation and approval of the anticipated impact of the proposed burn on related smoke sensitive areas An evaluation and approval of the anticipated impact of the proposed burn on related smoke sensitive areas

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9. Signature and Number of the Certified Prescribed burn Manager

Recommended Elements of a Prescription 10. Purpose and objectives 11. Safety 12. Season and time of day 13. Ignition plan 14. Public relations 15. Contingencies, control and mop up, declaring fire out 16. Evaluation and monitoring

10) Purpose and Objectives Reasons Reasons Resource Objectives Resource Objectives Fire Objectives (measurable) Fire Objectives (measurable)

Purpose and Objectives Resource Objectives Resource Objectives Restore site back to Longleaf ecosystem Restore site back to Longleaf ecosystem Enhance wildlife habitat Enhance wildlife habitat Maintain ecosystem diversity Maintain ecosystem diversity Keep fire out of the swamp Keep fire out of the swamp Fire Objectives Fire Objectives Increase Longleaf seeding by 50% and promote wire grass Increase Longleaf seeding by 50% and promote wire grass Increase native forage by 10% Increase native forage by 10% Reduce oak population by 50% Reduce oak population by 50%

11) Safety What do you need to do to conduct a safe and efficient burn? Examples:  All firebreaks down to mineral soil  Mow 10 feet in  In sensitive areas, natural features may be used (rivers, lakes, ditches, etc.)

Safety - Hazards to Crew What would your crew need to know if they have never been to your site that might hurt them? What would your crew need to know if they have never been to your site that might hurt them? Examples: Examples: Snakes Snakes Snags Snags Gopher tortoise holes Gopher tortoise holes ROTC pits ROTC pits

Safety -Surrounding Fuels If your fire gets out, what is around you? If your fire gets out, what is around you? Examples: Examples: North – unburned parcel with dense palmetto North – unburned parcel with dense palmetto East – burned parcel (2007) with dense overstory East – burned parcel (2007) with dense overstory South – unburned parcel with marsh South – unburned parcel with marsh West – unburned parcel with dense palmetto West – unburned parcel with dense palmetto

Safety - Communications Plan How will your crew communicate? How will your crew communicate? Examples: Examples: Common text Common text Everyone will have radios, only crew leaders will Everyone will have radios, only crew leaders will Scream across unit Scream across unit

12) Season & time of day Objectives? Objectives?

13) Ignition Plan Given your objectives and weather parameters, what will be the best technique to achieve your goals? Given your objectives and weather parameters, what will be the best technique to achieve your goals? Leader’s Intent? Leader’s Intent? Flame length! Flame length! Examples: Ignition Type - Backing fire, Flanking fire (Interior Strip Flanks), Spot fire, Strip head, Head fire Ignition Type - Backing fire, Flanking fire (Interior Strip Flanks), Spot fire, Strip head, Head fire Ignition Plan – Light test fire on NW side of unit, black line on line A/B, interior flanks as needed Ignition Plan – Light test fire on NW side of unit, black line on line A/B, interior flanks as needed

Ignition Plan (Firing Plan) Test fire at B, Black line A/B, flanks on B/D and A/E, interior flanks A D C B E

14) Publicity and Notifications Media Neighbors Fire Departments Local Schools

15) Holding and Contingencies How will you keep your fire in the defined site/unit? What are the ‘what ifs’ How will you keep your fire in the defined site/unit? What are the ‘what ifs’ Examples: Examples: Holding – Holding unit 1 will patrol line A/B and extinguish any spot fires or control hazards Holding – Holding unit 1 will patrol line A/B and extinguish any spot fires or control hazards Contingencies – If the fire escapes, we will cease ignition and extinguish spot if safe. Crews can use all fire breaks as escape routes and safety zones are shown on the attached map. Contingencies – If the fire escapes, we will cease ignition and extinguish spot if safe. Crews can use all fire breaks as escape routes and safety zones are shown on the attached map.

Mop-Up Plan for smoke problems, day after weather changes, smoldering issues, etc. Plan for smoke problems, day after weather changes, smoldering issues, etc. Example: Example: We will mop-up 25 feet from fire lines. All flames will be extinguished and smoldering snags will be downed. We will mop-up 25 feet from fire lines. All flames will be extinguished and smoldering snags will be downed.

16) Evaluation

Evaluation Questions Were pre-burn preparations made? Were pre-burn preparations made? Were objectives met? Were objectives met? Did you stick to your prescription Did you stick to your prescription Were conditions of weather, fuel, and fire behavior within planned limits? Were conditions of weather, fuel, and fire behavior within planned limits? Environmental effects on soil, water, air vegetation, and wildlife. Environmental effects on soil, water, air vegetation, and wildlife.

Evaluation Questions (continued) Any accidents or near accidents? Any accidents or near accidents? Fire confined to prescribed area? Fire confined to prescribed area? Was burning technique correct? Was burning technique correct? Were costs comparable to benefits? Were costs comparable to benefits?

Things to remember Your prescription should be replicable Your prescription should be replicable Your prescription needs to hold up in court Your prescription needs to hold up in court Maps should show your written requirements – make copies and give to your crew during briefing Maps should show your written requirements – make copies and give to your crew during briefing If you are calm, your crew will trust your decisions If you are calm, your crew will trust your decisions YOU should know the site! YOU should know the site! We all make mistakes, however LEARN FROM THEM!!! We all make mistakes, however LEARN FROM THEM!!!

Pre-Work

Purpose/Goal Pre work Resource Objectives Resource Objectives Restore site back to Longleaf ecosystem Restore site back to Longleaf ecosystem Enhance wildlife habitat Enhance wildlife habitat Maintain ecosystem diversity Maintain ecosystem diversity Keep fire out of the swamp Keep fire out of the swamp Fire Objectives Fire Objectives Increase Longleaf seeding by 50% and promote wire grass Increase Longleaf seeding by 50% and promote wire grass Increase native forage by 10% Increase native forage by 10% Reduce oak population Reduce oak population

Burn Unit Description LocationS: 20 T: 1S R: 24E Vegetation Type Flatwoods with dense palmetto Acres 70 Fuel Model 7

Prescription Parameters Acceptable Range Fuel Model: 7 Flatwoods Surface (Mid-flame) Wind Speed1-3 20’ Wind Speed & Direction6-12SW, S Transport Wind Speed & Direction9-18Any Mixing Height<1700 Dispersion Index (Day)40-60 Temperature75-95 Relative Humidity35-60

Environmental Conditions Acceptable Range Soil MoistureModerateHigh 1 hr Fuel Moisture hr Fuel Moisture hr Fuel Moisture1517 Woody Live Fuel Moisture*100%150% Herbaceous Live Fuel Moisture80%120% Litter/Duff MoistureModerateHigh

Media Contacts for Pre Work Notify Whitehouse Airfield Notify Whitehouse Airfield Notify Bryceville Elementary & Fire Station Notify Bryceville Elementary & Fire Station Notify local television stations Notify local television stations make sure that media person is available to handle them on site if they choose to attend the burn make sure that media person is available to handle them on site if they choose to attend the burn Notify local radio stations Notify local radio stations

Maps Burn Unit - zoom in and large scale Burn Unit - zoom in and large scale Ignition Pattern Ignition Pattern Smoke Screening Smoke Screening Safety Zones/Escape Routes Safety Zones/Escape Routes

Holding and Contingencies How will you keep your fire in the defined site/unit? What are the ‘what ifs’ How will you keep your fire in the defined site/unit? What are the ‘what ifs’ Examples: Examples: Holding – Holding unit 1 will patrol line A/B and extinguish any spot fires or control hazards Holding – Holding unit 1 will patrol line A/B and extinguish any spot fires or control hazards Contingencies – If the fire escapes, we will cease ignition and extinguish spot if safe. Crews can use all fire breaks as escape routes and safety zones are shown on the attached map. Contingencies – If the fire escapes, we will cease ignition and extinguish spot if safe. Crews can use all fire breaks as escape routes and safety zones are shown on the attached map.

Unit Map

Ignition Pattern (Firing Plan) Test fire at B, Black line A/B, flanks on B/D and A/E, interior flanks A D C B E

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Safety Zones Safety Zones & Escape Routes Safety Zone Escape Routes

Crew Assignments Who does what, where will they be? Who does what, where will they be? Examples: Examples: Ignition Crew 1 – Orlando 4 – A/C line Ignition Crew 1 – Orlando 4 – A/C line Ignition Crew 2 – Orlando 426 – D/E line Ignition Crew 2 – Orlando 426 – D/E line Holding Crew 1 – Orlando 44 – A Holding Crew 1 – Orlando 44 – A Lookout – Orlando 5 – on tower Lookout – Orlando 5 – on tower

Briefing Checklist There is a lot going on that day – keep is simple There is a lot going on that day – keep is simple See handout (UCF Prescription) See handout (UCF Prescription)

Things to remember Your prescription should be replicable Your prescription should be replicable Your prescription needs to hold up in court Your prescription needs to hold up in court Maps should show your written requirements – make copies and give to your crew during briefing Maps should show your written requirements – make copies and give to your crew during briefing If you are calm, your crew will trust your decisions If you are calm, your crew will trust your decisions YOU should know the site! YOU should know the site! We all make mistakes, however LEARN FROM THEM!!! We all make mistakes, however LEARN FROM THEM!!!

Lat. & Long. were backwards Lat. & Long. were backwards Goals & Objectives confused Goals & Objectives confused Ignition techniques: Ignition techniques: Backing, flanking, grid, strip-head Backing, flanking, grid, strip-head Time requirements Time requirements Adjustments to Pre-work

Organization: Organization: Not all available crews utilized Not all available crews utilized Crews in two places at once Crews in two places at once Contingencies for Escape Contingencies for Escape Stop ignition and contain escape Stop ignition and contain escape Notify FFS Notify FFS Adjustments to Pre-work

Monitoring (sec. 3) – keep it realistic Monitoring (sec. 3) – keep it realistic Give yourself room in the range of weather parameters, but not too much. Give yourself room in the range of weather parameters, but not too much. Transport winds Transport winds Speed, 9+ mph Speed, 9+ mph Direction, any except northerly Direction, any except northerly

A successful prescribed burn depends upon skilled application of fire from a carefully developed prescription for a definite area to accomplish Specific Objectives. A successful prescribed burn depends upon skilled application of fire from a carefully developed prescription for a definite area to accomplish Specific Objectives.

Elements of a Prescription Pre-burn checklist Pre-burn checklist Description of Burn Unit Description of Burn Unit Purpose and objectives Purpose and objectives Site Prep Site Prep Surrounding Fuels Surrounding Fuels Fire Sensitive Areas Fire Sensitive Areas Weather Factors Weather Factors Smoke Management Plan Smoke Management Plan Ignition Plan (type, flame length, ROS) Ignition Plan (type, flame length, ROS) Equipment/Personnel Needs Equipment/Personnel Needs Communication Plan Communication Plan Hazards to Crew Hazards to Crew Publicity/Notifications Publicity/Notifications Holding/Contingencies Holding/Contingencies Mop-Up Mop-Up Evaluation Evaluation Maps (Burn Unit, Vegetation, Ignition Pattern, Smoke Screening, Location) Maps (Burn Unit, Vegetation, Ignition Pattern, Smoke Screening, Location) Crew Assignments Crew Assignments Briefing Checklist Briefing Checklist

Ignition Plan Given your objectives and weather parameters, what will be the best technique to achieve your goals? Given your objectives and weather parameters, what will be the best technique to achieve your goals? Examples: Ignition Type - Backing fire, Flanking fire (Interior Strip Flanks), Spot fire, Strip head, Head fire Ignition Type - Backing fire, Flanking fire (Interior Strip Flanks), Spot fire, Strip head, Head fire Ignition Plan – Light test fire on NW side of unit, black line on line A/B, interior flanks as needed Ignition Plan – Light test fire on NW side of unit, black line on line A/B, interior flanks as needed

Ignition Plan (Firing Plan) Test fire at B, Black line A/B, flanks on B/D and A/E, interior flanks A D C B E

Ignition Plan Acceptable Range Fire TechniqueSpot, Strip Head Backing, Flank Rate of Spread ch/hr (80 ch/mile)13 Fireline Intensity btu/ft/sec*5090 Flame Length (ft)13 Energy Release Component**1045 * Calculated easiest in Behave ** Calculated for specific national fire danger rating fuel models & local weather; Typically only the feds will use this element in their prescription

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