Publications Focus on Plan, Safety of Prescribed Burns

AMES, Iowa — A prescribed, or controlled, burn is one tool used by land stewards to achieve specific management goals and objectives, such as managing vegetation, improving wildlife habitat and controlling pest problems. Three publications from Iowa State University Extension aim to help educate and instruct on the proper and safe methods for carrying out a prescribed burn.

“The prescribed burn series not only details the proper safety gear and equipment needed for a safe and effective burn, but also provides the reader with a template for a burn plan, putting all the information they need into one packet for the day of the burn,” said Jesse Randall, ISU Extension forester.

Randall said the publications are for individuals who have never carried out a prescribed burn or have limited experience, as well as individuals who have burned for years, but do not have formal training in the different techniques and when to apply them.

All three publications are available as downloadable PDFs from the ISU Extension store: www.extension.iastate.edu/store. The publications are free to download.

Prescribed burn series

• Developing a Prescribed Fire Burn Plan: Elements & Considerations (PM 2088A) — Burn plans are a critical component of any prescribed burn. A burn plan template is included and should be used to describe goals of the burn, the burn area, weather conditions, hazards, personnel needs and safety, and contacts to make before burning.
• Considerations for Prescribed Burning: Safety, Equipment, and Ignition Techniques (PM 2088B) — Safety when using prescribed fire is of chief importance. Part of a safety plan includes the right equipment and crew members who know how to safely use the equipment. Necessary pieces of equipment, as well as ignition patterns, are shown in this publication.
• Considerations for Prescribed Burning: Why, When, and When Not to Burn (PM 2088C) — Prescribed fire is used in forests to manage vegetation, improve wildlife habitat and control pest problems. This publication helps find the best times to burn and the best types of burns, depending on goals. It also includes guidelines for when not to burn.

For more information, visit the ISU Forestry Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/forestry.

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