fuels-reduction-guide-2023 - Flipbook - Page 13
Prescribed Fire
Preparing for a prescribed fire is like other fuels reduction projects, with one key
difference—prescribed burning requires a burn plan and a smoke management plan.
Prescribed fire is the planned and
controlled application of fire to the
land, under specified, low-risk weather
conditions. As a land management
tool, prescribed fire is an efficient
and cost effective way to reduce fuels
where physical and social conditions
are conducive to its use. Before
implementing a prescribed burn, the
A drip torch ignites
vegetation by dripping
flaming fuel onto the
ground.
site is prepared by reducing and
removing the amount of vegetation
to a safe burning density. Methods
include using bulldozers, hand tools,
herbicide treatment, pile and burn
or a combination of these methods.
A key element in site preparation is
the construction of a well-established
fireline to limit fire spread.
A helitorch is a
firing device effective for
igniting prescribed fire
over a large area.
A terra torch throws
a stream of flaming
liquid that rapidly ignites
surrounding fuels.
Photo credit: Al Golub
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