The Burn Plan | P.B. Toolkit

Burn Plan Preparation

HINT - While working through the information below, it will help if you first download a Prescribed Burn Safety Plan template.

A fillable Word template is available here

A PDF version of the template is available here.

The third step is to prepare a burn plan. A burn plan should always be developed for every proposed prescribed burn. A burn plan is an all-inclusive document that includes a description of the site to be burned, the objectives of the burn, preparation needs, areas of special concern or potential hazard, a list of pre-determined parameters within which the burn will be conducted (fire prescription), information on precisely how the burn is going to be accomplished (firing sequence), and detailed maps of the area.

A burn plan not only helps the landowner carefully and thoughtfully prepare for a prescribed burn, but the plan also provides detailed information to others that might be involved in implementing the burn or affected by implementation of the burn, such as members of your fire crew, the local fire department, and neighbors.

In addition, there are usually only a few days during most burning seasons when weather conditions meet burn prescription parameters. By developing a burn plan and addressing site and equipment needs prior to the burning season, the landowner can quickly take advantage of burning opportunities when they arise.

The following information should be included in every burn plan:

Maps:

Each map should show the boundaries of the planned burn area, adjacent landowners, topography, control lines (both natural fire breaks and those that are to be constructed), smoke sensitive areas, roads, homes, utility lines, fuel and storage tanks, and other potentially hazardous or combustible materials. One map should be prepared for each acceptable wind direction under which the prescribed burn may be safely conducted. Each of these maps should then show the location and appropriate sequence of fires to be set based on each map’s assigned wind direction. Here is a link to a sample map.

Burn Objective:

State as precisely as possible the objective(s) for the burn. This will help you set the parameters (fire prescription) under which the burn should be conducted.

Burn Unit Description:

Describe the types of fuels that are proposed to be burned within the burn area as well as the site’s topography. Note if there are significant differences between vegetation types and heights within the burn area. Also note if there are areas that typically remain wet or exceedingly dry. All of these factors will influence fire behavior and determine other planning needs and parameters.

Adjacent Land Description:

Describe the types of fuels and topography that are adjacent to the proposed burn unit. Specifically note any areas adjacent to or in close proximity to the proposed burn area that might easily catch fire as a result of wind blown sparks.

Areas of Special Concern:

Describe all areas in and outside the burn area that might pose safety, health or smoke hazards and list the appropriate measures that will need to be taken to mitigate the concerns. Once again, making note of these areas will assist you and others reading the burn plan to be aware of problem areas and how those concerns will be addressed.

Pre-Burn Site Preparation:

Describe exactly what site preparation will need to be completed before the burn can be safely conducted. Do control lines (fire breaks) need to be constructed? If so, are they to be plowed, disked or mown? Do control lines need to be placed around utility poles? Are there tree branches or brush extending over any firebreaks that might catch fire and cause the fire to spread to unintended areas?

Equipment Needs:

List all the equipment that should be on-site at the time of the burn. Include things such as cellular phones, 2-way radios, hoses, backpack sprayers, truck-mounted water tanks, vehicles, quad runners, leaf rakes, and propane torches and/or drip torches. Never skimp on equipment needs.

Personnel Needs:

List all the personnel that will be needed to safely and efficiently carry out the prescribed burn. Never skimp on personnel needs. In general, there should be 3 to 4 people for each control line: one to lay fire, one or two to control the line, and one to assist wherever needed.

Persons To Be Contacted:

List all neighbor and local fire department names and telephone numbers. Each of these entities should be contacted as part of burn plan preparation phase. It is important to contact local fire department personnel during the planning stage to ensure the burn will be in compliance with local ordinances. It also affords these agencies the opportunity to develop their own advanced planning, coordination, and scheduling. It is also important to contact each neighbor to help assess smoke sensitive areas and address other concerns that they might have. In addition, it affords neighbors the opportunity to potentially coordinate, schedule, and assist each other in conducting prescribed burns in the local area.

Each of the entities on the contact list should also be called the day before the burn is anticipated to occur, and then immediately prior to actually conducting the burn.

Again, this notification helps keep local authorities advised and prepared to respond in case of an emergency. It also is a courtesy to neighbors so that they can anticipate seeing and reacting appropriately to any potential smoke that might come their way.

Acceptable Burning Parameters: List in this section the range of conditions that must be met at the time the prescribed burn is to take place. The following parameters should be included in this section:

Time of Year - Generally the best time to conduct a prescribed burn in Southern Ontario is from March 15 to April 30. This is when weather conditions and fuel moisture are most often conducive for conducting prescribed burns. The exact time frame within which the burn should occur will depend on the objective of the burn.

Time of Day - Time prescribed burning so that the entire job, including all follow-up work, can be completed before sunset. Remember, as the sun sets, temperature drops and relative humidity increases. Both of these conditions will increase the likelihood of having smoke management problems. When conditions are favorable, try to start burning between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..

Relative Humidity Range - As stated earlier, relative humidity should range between 40 and 65 percent under most situations where the landowner is conducting a prescribed burn without professional assistance. Burning when relative humidity drops below 30 percent can become dangerous even for experienced prescribed fire crews.

Wind Speed Range - In most situations, the preferred 20-foot wind speed should range between 10 and 20 km/h for good smoke dispersion.

Temperature Range - Under most prescribed burning objectives, air temperature for a late winter to early spring burn should range from -7 C to 20 C.

Soil Moisture - The importance of adequate soil moisture can’t be overemphasized. Damp soil protects the root zone of grasses, forbs and trees from being killed during a fire. It also protects soil microorganisms. For most prescribed burning objectives, the soil should be damp to moderately wet.

Allowable Wind Directions - Allowable wind directions will ultimately depend on several factors including: the location of smoke sensitive areas, control lines, and structures; the type of fuels inside and outside the burn area; and topography. Only those wind directions that will achieve the burn objective in a safe manner should be listed.

Ignition Methods - Prescribed burns can be conducted using several different ignition techniques (alone or in combinations) to achieve specific results. Only those ignition methods that will achieve the burn objective in a safe manner should be listed. Specific ignition techniques are discussed later on the Ignition Methods page.

Fire Escape Contingency Plan - Write down a step-by-step contingency plan as to who will do what in case fire escapes the burn site. At the minimum, the plan should include

(1) the telephone numbers for the local fire department and each of the adjacent neighbors; and

(2) a section that identifies escape routes and safety zones for your fire crew. All crew members should review this section of the plan before the prescribed burn is initiated.