How We Can Help You Plan a Prescribed Burn for Your Property

Prescribed burns, also known as controlled burns, are an essential land management tool used to reduce wildfire risk, improve soil health, and promote native plant growth. However, executing a successful prescribed burn requires careful planning, expertise, and adherence to safety regulations. That’s where we come in!

Why Consider a Prescribed Burn?

A well-planned prescribed burn can:
✅ Reduce hazardous fuel buildup to prevent wildfires
✅ Improve soil fertility and stimulate new plant growth
✅ Control invasive species and encourage native vegetation
✅ Enhance wildlife habitat by creating a balanced ecosystem

How We Can Help

Planning a prescribed burn involves multiple steps to ensure safety and effectiveness. Our team of fire practitioners, including California Certified Burn Bosses (CARX), is here to guide you through the process from start to finish.

What is a California Certified Burn Boss (CARX)?

A California Certified Burn Boss (CARX) is a trained and certified professional responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing prescribed burns in California. Certified by the state, a Burn Boss ensures that burns are conducted safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulations. Our team includes CARX-certified professionals who bring expert knowledge and leadership to every burn operation.

1. Property Assessment

We begin by evaluating your land to determine if a prescribed burn is suitable for your property. This includes assessing vegetation type, topography, weather patterns, and nearby structures.

2. Developing a Burn Plan

A customized burn plan outlines:
🔥 Burn objectives and desired outcomes
🔥 Fire behavior predictions based on weather and fuel conditions
🔥 Necessary permits and regulatory compliance
🔥 Safety measures and contingency plans

3. Coordinating Permits & Compliance

Our CARX-certified Burn Bosses help secure the necessary permits and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including working with CAL FIRE and local air quality agencies.

4. Preparing the Site

Before the burn, we assist in creating firebreaks, identifying hazards, and setting up the necessary equipment.

5. Conducting the Burn

On burn day, our Certified Burn Boss oversees the entire process, ensuring safe and controlled execution. We monitor fire behavior, weather conditions, and suppression strategies, making real-time adjustments as needed.

6. Post-Burn Monitoring

After the burn, we conduct site assessments to evaluate results and provide recommendations for follow-up actions, such as reseeding or erosion control.

Get Started Today!

If you’re considering a prescribed burn for your property, we’re here to help! Our team, led by California Certified Burn Bosses, will handle the planning, execution, and follow-up to ensure a safe and successful burn.

🔥 Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward healthier land management! 🔥

How to Get a Red Card

The full process to obtain a Red Card and progress upward through the qualification system to higher responsibility is outlined in the PMS 310-1 Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide. Pay special attention to the early sections, as they provide a description of the overall system, including certification, maintaining currency, required training, position task books, fitness standards and incident complexity.
Healthy Forest Alliance issues red cards to non-federal firefighters affiliated with our organization. Here are the documents required to obtain a card. All must be received by the Healthy Forest Alliance prior to the issue of a card:

Steps to Obtain Certification

Basic Firefighter

Every firefighter must meet these requirements for a basic redcard:

• S-130 Firefighter Training
• S-130 Firefighter Training Skills Day Evaluation*
• S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
• L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service
• I-100 Introduction to Incident Command System and IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS)
• Pass a fitness test. Most wildland fire agencies use the "pack" test. Depending on your anticipated fireline assignment, there are three levels of pack testing: light, moderate and arduous. Primary firefighters are required to pass the arduous level test: a three-mile walk with a 45-pound pack that must be done in less than 45 minutes.   More Information About The Work Capacity Test

Moving Up In the System

To move beyond this level (the next level is Advanced Firefighter/Squad Boss, FFT1) requires a combination of courses and on-the-job training. Required courses must be completed first, and then a "position task book" will be issued to the firefighter. A task book contains a list of various tasks and duties that must be performed in a variety of situations under the supervision of a firefighter certified at an equal or higher level. Upon completion of each task, your supervisor initials your task book to signify that you have done the job successfully. When the entire book is complete, and following certification by the appropriate authority, the firefighter will be considered qualified and certified at the next level.
Taskbook Guidance

Obtaining Training

Contact the Healthy Forest Alliance Fire Training Program for all your wildland fire training needs.  

Incident Qualification System (IQS) Forms

This form is available for download and can be mailed, sent as an email, or printed and brought to a relevant training.

In the ever-evolving field of ecological restoration and wildfire management, the role of a Certified Burn Boss is crucial. These skilled individuals lead prescribed burns, implementing carefully planned fires to rejuvenate landscapes, reduce wildfire risks, and promote overall ecosystem health. At the forefront of this initiative is the Certified Burn Boss Training & Mentorship Program – a comprehensive and transformative journey for those looking to become stewards of controlled burns.

The Urgent Need for Building Prescribed Fire Capacity in California

Introduction:

California's landscapes are no stranger to the fiery embrace of wildfires. In recent years, the state has faced increasingly severe wildfire seasons, prompting a reevaluation of traditional fire management strategies. As the specter of uncontrolled wildfires looms larger, there is a growing consensus among experts and policymakers that building prescribed fire capacity is a critical and timely investment for California's future.