Prescribed burning
Prescribed burning is the controlled application of fire to wildland fuels in either a natural or modified state. It is conducted under specific environmental conditions that allow the fire to be confined to a predetermined area and at the same time produce the intensity required to attain planned resource management objectives.
Simply put, prescribed burning is fire applied in a skillful manner, in a definite place while under exacting weather conditions to achieve specific results. A burn authorization is obtained from the Florida Forest Service and the prescription is executed by a certified burn manager, also called a "Burn(ing) Boss."
Controlled burning is the practice of burning fuels to meet the needs of landowners. The burn is kept in control through the use of control lines and may be executed by an individual with experience in controlled burning.
Volusia County Fire Services uses certified burn managers and burn bosses. Each burn boss has taken the Prescribed Burner’s Course, participated in several prescription burns, and written an executed prescription burn plan. These formal prescriptions are reviewed and approved by the Fuels Mitigation/Firewalker Team Leader prior to the execution of the burn.
Prescribed burns are conducted by the Firewalker Team.
Prescribed burning is fire...
- Applied in a skillful manner
- Under exacting weather conditions
- In a definite place
- To achieve specific results
Five steps to a prescribed burn:
- Analysis
- Prescription
- Preparation
- Execution
- Evaluation
