LET’S BURN!
Timeline of a Prescribed Burn
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CONSULTATION with experts and neighbors.
BURN PLAN that contains objectives, unit descriptors, prescription parameters, resource needs, contingency plan, etc.
FUNDING via personal funds, grants or cost-shares, etc.
PERMITTING through relevant agencies (usually Washington DNR or Department of Ecology).
UNIT PREP including fuels treatments and/or firebreaks around unit perimeter.
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GO/NO-GO CHECKLIST determining whether day-of conditions are adequate.
MONITORING of fire effects and smoke.
IGNITIONS including test burn and a pre-determined firing pattern.
HOLDING of the fire within the unit boundary via hand tools, engines/hoses, and other resources.
MOP-UP AND PATROL over ensuing days to ensure fire is fully extinguished.
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AFTER-ACTION REVIEW to determine whether objectives were met and what could be improved.
FIRE EFFECTS measured post-burn.
NEXT STEPS for management considered, potentially including additional entries of prescribed fire.
The Mt. Adams PBA is built to provide land managers with support at every stage of the prescribed fire timeline. Here’s what the process generally looks like:
We’re here to help!
PLANNING
Landowner becomes a member of the MAPBA! We recommend participating in a burn and/or attending a training before burning on your own property.
Landowner connects with MAPBA to set up a site visit, where the MAPBA Coordinator makes recommendations for site preparation and reviews the prescribed fire process.
Landowner designates a burn boss (could be the landowner or someone else with adequate experience to lead a prescribed fire) and writes a burn plan. MAPBA can provide technical assistance and examples.
Landowner submits their burn plan and applies for a burn permit.
Landowner preps their land based on MAPBA recommendations (and WA DNR’s, if applicable). Other MAPBA members can be recruited to help! Equipment from the MAPBA cache is borrowed and set up on site.
Landowner and MAPBA Coordinator send out an email to recruit volunteers to staff the burn operations.
FIRE IMPLEMENTATION
Landowner, burn boss, and all participants sign liability waivers.
Landowner and burn boss make all required notifications to neighbors & officials.
Burn boss briefs participants and assigns roles.
Burn operations are implemented according to the burn plan and permit.
Landowner and burn boss hold an after action review (debrief).
Typically, the landowner will provide a meal to celebrate & thank attending volunteers!
Landowner patrols fire lines and mops up fire as necessary to avoid an escape. The landowner will patrol each day until the fire is completely cold.
REVIEW
Landowner observes fire effects in the days/weeks/months after the burn, determining whether objectives are met.
We burn again in 3-10 years, reestablishing the frequent fire regime historically present in much of this region!
