🔥 Understanding the California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund: Protecting Landowners and Expanding Good Fire
California has taken a major step toward bringing back “good fire” to our landscapes — and reducing the risks of bad wildfire — through the creation of the California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund (PF-CF).
This groundbreaking program provides financial protection for landowners, burn bosses, and community partners who conduct prescribed burns safely and legally under an approved burn plan. It removes one of the biggest barriers to prescribed fire: fear of financial ruin if something goes wrong.
What Is the California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund?
The California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund was established by Senate Bill 926 (Dodd, 2022) and is administered by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
It acts as a state-backed insurance fund designed to cover suppression costs, property damage, or other losses that might result from a prescribed burn conducted under the supervision of a California Certified Burn Boss (CARX) and an approved burn plan.
In short: if your burn was properly permitted, led by a CARX, and conducted according to plan, the fund may reimburse or pay for eligible costs should the fire escape or cause damages.
Why the Claims Fund Matters
For decades, California landowners faced strict liability under Public Resources Code §4422, meaning that even with the best planning and intentions, they could be held automatically responsible for any damages or firefighting costs from a prescribed burn — no matter the circumstances.
The new Claims Fund changes that. By shifting the legal standard from strict liability to gross negligence and providing financial coverage, California is encouraging more responsible prescribed burning while keeping safety at the forefront.
How the Fund Works
To qualify for the California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund, a burn must meet several key criteria:
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🔸 The project must have an approved burn plan that meets Cal Fire standards.
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🔸 A California Certified Burn Boss (CARX) must be present and in charge of all operations.
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🔸 The burn must comply with local air district smoke management and burn day authorization requirements.
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🔸 The burn must be conducted within the approved prescription and parameters outlined in the plan.
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🔸 Any damages, losses, or suppression costs must be promptly reported to Cal Fire for review.
If a prescribed burn conducted under these conditions causes unintended damage, the Claims Fund can pay eligible claims for fire suppression, property damage, or third-party losses.
Legal Foundation: PRC §4475–§4479.7
The Claims Fund is codified under California Public Resources Code §4479.5 and works in conjunction with the California Certified Burn Boss Program established under PRC §4477–§4479.7.
Together, these laws create a framework that encourages safe, professional prescribed fire — balancing responsibility with realistic protection for those who follow the rules.
They state that:
No person who conducts a burn in accordance with an approved burn plan and under the supervision of a Certified Burn Boss shall be liable for suppression costs or damages unless gross negligence is proven.
This means that only in cases of gross negligence — a severe departure from accepted professional standards — could a landowner or Burn Boss face liability. Otherwise, the Claims Fund steps in to cover costs.
What This Means for Landowners
The Prescribed Fire Claims Fund gives landowners the confidence to move forward with prescribed fire projects that were once considered too risky. When you hire a Certified Burn Boss and follow Cal Fire’s approval process:
✅ You’re protected from automatic liability
✅ You’re eligible for state-funded financial coverage
✅ You’re contributing to California’s wildfire resilience and ecological restoration goals
Prescribed burning under this framework helps communities reduce hazardous fuels, protect homes, and restore the health of forests and rangelands — safely, legally, and responsibly.
Healthy Forest Alliance Can Help
The Healthy Forest Alliance works with property owners, Prescribed Burn Associations, and partner organizations to develop burn plans, connect you with Certified Burn Bosses, and ensure your project meets all Claims Fund and CARX requirements.
Our mission is to make prescribed fire accessible, affordable, and safe for every community across California.
👉 Learn more about prescribed fire planning, permitting, and the California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund at:
www.healthyforestalliance.org/prescribed-fire-planning