Why are prescribed controlled burns used in Alabama?

Why are prescribed controlled burns used in Alabama?

In Alabama, prescribed burns can be safely conducted throughout the year. Cool season burns are used to reduce forest litter and to help prevent forest fires. Controlled burning helps to rejuvenate high quality natural food sources for many species including white-tailed deer and Eastern wild turkey.

How do you plan a prescribed burn?

Make a prescribed fire plan for each area.

  1. Required Signatures and Dates. Provide spaces for signatures) of person(s) who prepared the plan.
  2. Purpose and Objective(s)
  3. Map of the Burning Unit.
  4. Equipment and Personnel.
  5. Fire Prescription.
  6. Season.
  7. Time of Day.
  8. Firing Plan.

What type of planning is required for a prescribed fire?

A prescribed burning conservation activity plan is a site specific plan developed for a client which addresses one or more resource concerns on land through the use of fire for any of the following purposes: Control vegetation on rangeland, pastureland, forest land, hayland, and wildlife land.

Is a prescribed burn the same as a controlled burn?

Prescribed fire is a planned fire; it is also sometimes called a “controlled burn” or “prescribed burn,” and is used to meet management objectives. Prescribed burns have been ignited to reduce hazardous fuel loads near developed areas, manage landscapes, restore natural woodlands, and for research purposes.

How is fire a silviculture tool?

In general, fires initiate and facilitate forest succession; they bum organic materials on the forest floor and kill vegetation creating opportunities for vegetation to regenerate, allowing one plant to obtain a competitive advantage over another, and/or allowing plants to grow freely (Jain et al. 2004).

Is Bankhead National Forest on fire?

An inferno continues to burn in the Sipsey Wilderness of the Bankhead National Forest. The fire has burned nearly 2,000 acres of land. People living near the fire were concerned when the first blaze broke out.

Why controlled fires are bad?

The smoke and particulates released during controlled burns can negatively affect air quality. Inhaling these substances is dangerous for human health and can cause short- and long-term respiratory problems including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and pneumonia.

Is Prescribed burning effective?

Prescribed fire was the most effective technique, and under severe weather conditions reduced the average fireline intensity of a wildfire by 76% and its burned area by 37%, avoiding manifestations of severe fire behaviour.

What is the purpose of a prescribed burn?

By ridding a forest of dead leaves, tree limbs, and other debris, a prescribed burn can help prevent a destructive wildfire. Controlled burns can also reduce insect populations and destroy invasive plants. In addition, fire can be rejuvenating.

What is a block burn?

A discrete area within a larger prescribed or fire use project.

Why is prescribed burning bad?

When conditions are wrong, prescribed fire can severely damage the very resource it was intended to benefit. Prescribed fire can temporarily reduce air quality, but usually to a much lesser degree than wildfire. Proper planning and execution are necessary to minimize any detrimental effects to air quality.

What are the disadvantages of controlled burns?

The Potential Downsides of Controlled Burns

  • There’s Always Some Risk. Even the best-laid plans sometimes go awry — especially when dealing with fire.
  • Air Quality. The smoke and particulates released during controlled burns can negatively affect air quality.
  • Water Quality.

How to become a burn manager in Alabama?

A training program has been established to meet the requirements of the Prescribed Burning Act. The Burn Manager Certification Course, covering 32 hours, will include discussion of fire behavior, burning methods, safety, planning, smoke screening and Alabama fire laws. Courses are offered annually across the state.

How do I become a prescribed burn manager?

To receive initial certification, burners should submit an Application for Prescribed Burn Manager Certification along with proof of training and a non-refundable $50 certification fee. Please send applications to:

How often do prescribed burning certifications need to be renewed?

For additional information contact Marti Davis at (334)240-9332 Certification is for a five-year period, requiring renewal every five years. In order for a certification to be renewed, six hours of continuing education directly pertaining to prescribed burning must be earned prior to the certification expiration date.

How much does a burn management course cost?

The registration fee for courses is $150. The registration fee for workshops is $100. Only paid attendees will be allowed to participate in the training sessions. For more information on registration, contact Marti Davis at 334-240-9332. (DO NOT CONTACT THE COURSE/WORKSHOP LOCATION REGARDING REGISTRATION OR COURSE DETAILS.)

Why are prescribed controlled burns used in Alabama? In Alabama, prescribed burns can be safely conducted throughout the year. Cool season burns are used to reduce forest litter and to help prevent forest fires. Controlled burning helps to rejuvenate high quality natural food sources for many species including white-tailed deer and Eastern wild turkey. How…