1. Unit 6: Prescribed Burning
Lesson 1, 2, 3
International Paper
Lesson VII

2. Prescribed Burning is the best method for:
Hazard Reduction- reduction and control of forest litter and undergrowth
Hardwood control- kills undesirable species under 2” in diameter
Site Preparation- Most economical method for providing bare soil and full sunlight
Improving Wildlife Habitat- Reduces predator cover,exposes hidden food sources, increases low browse growth
Disease Control- The only practical control method of Brown Spot Needle Blight, possibly reduces Formes Annosus Root Rot
Improved Accessibility- Improved by reducing ground cover

3. When planning a prescribed burn, several factors must be considered:
Fuel conditions
Weather
Season of the year
Time of day
Type of fire

4. Fuel Conditions
The amount of fuel, its arrangement, and combustibility (wind conditions, temperature, relative humidity)

5. Weather Conditions- Available from the GFC, updated daily
Temperature- 20°F to 60°F for winter burning, 80°F and above in summer
Wind- Steady 2 to 10 mph, northerly direction
Relative Humidity- amount of moisture in the air, 30% to 50%
Rainfall- ½ to 1 inch, one week prior to the burn

6. Other Conditions:
Season of the Year- Winter provides more predictable weather with less stand damage
Time of Day- Started by 10:00am and out by night

7. Types of Fire For Prescribed Burning
Backfire- Started at a clear fire break or road, heading directly into the wind
Strip Head Fire- Uses narrow, parallel streaks of fire across a large area, set closely to reduce heat intensity
Flank Fire- Used as a supplement to other techniques, set into the wind at a right angle to catch up slowly burning patches

8. Use of Maps To Plan the Fire
Used to select areas that need to be burned
Help to locate fire breaks in the burning area
Used to locate smoke sensitive areas near the possible burn site

9. Smoke Sensitive Areas Include:
Airports
Highways
Communities
Resort or recreational areas
Schools
Hospitals
Factories
Stock barns or holding pens

10. Don’t burn if: Burn restrictions are in place
Undesirable weather conditions are present
Any smoke sensitive area is within ¾ mile downwind
The area has air pollution or visibility problems
There is a heavy fuel load
You plan to use head fire on two year old fuel
Transport wind speed is less than nine mph

11. For a successful burn:
Get a reliable weather report, not a forecast, and observe the conditions first hand
Notify adjoining landowners and the GFC to obtain a burn permit
First do a small test fire
Start backfire close to the boundary, don’t start more fire than you can watch
Be aware of the changing wind conditions
Watch for stumps near the firebreak
Mop up any smoldering areas

12. Evaluating the Burn Check for crown scorch
Check the amount of litter consumed
Check hardwoods for bark cracks
Check for scorching of the bark
In spring, check for bark beetles