Prescribed Fire Planning Arkansas Prescribed Fire Workshop Fort

Prescribed Fire Planning Arkansas Prescribed Fire Workshop Fort Chaffee 17 -20 September 2002

What differentiates planning for a prescribed fire from wildfire? You have time and information to plan and prepare

Pre-burn planning basics • Why do we burn? • Because it’s fun? • To achieve broad land management goals and specific objectives • Significant legal, safety, and health issues • Determine burn units, burn timing, seasonality, frequency

General Site Description: Elements of Concern • • Animals Wildlife Plants Plant communities

1. What 2 do first? : Determine Objectives • • 75%+ unit coverage. 50% duff removal. 80% understory topkill. Overstory char class 0. 5 – 2. 0. Overstory char degree 1. 0 – 2. 0. Overstory scorch height 10 ft +. Overstory scorch class 25 -50% crowns. 2. Desired fire behavior 3. Optimal weather prescription

Firelines • • Location Natural barriers Man-made barriers Installed Type - hard or soft Width Installation

Confirm accessibility • • Personnel Equipment With PPE Under burn conditions Hazards • Within unit • Outside unit • Prioritize them

1. Prepare unit to minimize hazards prior to the burn. 2. Prioritize hazards. Missed one • Going to need to do the work sometime. • You choose when you want to do it. • Include hazard reduction in the plan while it is fresh in your mind.

Neighbors • • Who are they? Residences Schools Airports Highways Agricultural operations Asthmatics Neighbor Notifications • Pre management visit • Pre-burn letter • Post sign • Day of burn visit