Module 3: Burn plan

Burn planning and preparation

Module Objective: What is a burn plan and why do you need one?

Planning a Burn

Once it has been decided that burning is warranted, careful planning, including consultation with all interested parties, agencies and neighbouring landowners is essential in developing a prescribed burning plan. Burning should only be carried out in accordance with a written burn plan. The plan should address all relevant issues raised by this code and relevant legislation. A good plan will help you achieve your burn objectives, prevent the escape of your fire, and keep everyone and the environment safe.

What is a Burn Plan?

The burn plan details what, where and when you are burning as well as the mitigations that are in place to help prevent fire escapes. A burn plan describes the following:

• The objectives of the burn and the expected results.
• The area, including vegetation, assets and values. Include how these will be protected. The burn plan needs to identify whether there are values/assets vulnerable to smoke and consider desirable weather patterns for directing fire and smoke away from valuable assets and weather contributing to poor smoke dispersal
• The burn plan specifies, either in words or by a map, the parcel of land to be burned, the landowner(s), and owners of adjacent land not included in the burn.
• The burn plan specifies the required governmental permits and lists those who must be notified on the day the burn is to take place.
• The locations and characteristics of all fire breaks (fire control lines) are given, as well as strategies for containment of fire within the burn unit.
• Ensure your burn plan considers safety, this includes escape routes and safety zones. These should be prepared and identified well in advance of the day you are burning
• Any preparations of the burn unit needed before the burn can take place should be indicated, including a list of fire sensitive elements within or near the burn unit that must be protected.
• The burn plan should state the personnel needed, as well as their qualifications and duties.
• The burn plan also lists the equipment needed to conduct the burn.
• The expected progress of the burn should be stated, and a contingency plan identified for a burn not proceeding as expected.
• Requirements for containment of the site after the burn is completed (mop-up) should be listed.
• The burn plan must outline the weather conditions which must be met if the burn is to take place. It is vital to have the best available weather reports. Local radio and television stations are too general to be of much use. A detailed report giving predicted wind speed and direction, relative humidity or dew point, cloud cover, and temperature is necessary.
• Ignition patterns and techniques.
• Health and safety issues (for your staff and the public).
• Identifying any hazards and risks.
• This form also contains templates to use to capture fire and weather observations on the day of and during the burn.
• The neighbours and the local fire department should always be notified of an upcoming burn.

Why do you need one?

A burn plan identifies both environmental and safety impacts and tries to mitigate these adverse outcomes from a burn off (see figure below). A well-written prescribed burning plan accomplishes several positive things:

• it forces us to thoroughly plan a burn;
• it forces us to understand and define the conditions when fire can accomplish our goals;
• it forces us to understand and define the conditions when it is NOT safe to burn;
• it makes us prepare contingencies for problematic situations that might develop;
• it helps us recognize our knowledge, equipment and preparation limitations for a prescribed burn; and

• it helps minimize our liability when we adhere to the plan because it demonstrates farmers are knowledgeable about fire and do not negligently apply this tool.

  

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If you have a burn plan, it does not absolve you from responsibilities if you have not conducted a burn in a safe manner. You can still be prosecuted if the fire is not conducted in a safe manner and you have not taken adequate measures to protect your staff, livestock or the public from the effects of your burn off.

How to complete a Burn Plan?

Click here to view a: Prescribed burn plan template - [Click Here!](http://www.fireandemergency.nz/assets/Documents/Farms-rural-properties/Prescribed-burn-plan-template.docx) –> Click Here!

Complete this form when you’re planning a complex land clearing burn, to ensure all factors have been considered. For complex land clearing burns, this plan must be approved by the Principal Rural Fire Officer or delegate. This plan includes the following sections (not all sections may be applicable for your burn):

Self-Check: Think about a burn you have conducted in the past; did you consider the above points? Reflect on how these points may have helped assist you with previous burn experiences.

Activity: Complete a Burn Plan for your planned burn.

Learning Outcome

Knowing your responsibilities and liabilities before conducting a prescribed burn.