Ministry of Forests and Range, Wildfire Management Branch
Help and Examples
Completed Sample Burn Plans
Form Walk-Through
PRESCRIBED FIRE BURN PLAN - HELP AND EXAMPLES
Page 1 - Submitter/ Reviewer Information
Enter the Name, Date and Certification Level of the Submitter and the Reviewer. Signatures will be made on the hard copy (printed) version of the form.
Where a project can not be completed within the designated time frame, and all conditions as per the burn plan and prescription remain constant, the same burn plan may be resubmitted for review and approval.
Page 2 - Table of Contents and Burn Plan Checklist
This page can be filled out online, or left blank and filled out when the form has been printed. Type the page number of each section in the corresponding box, or n/a if the section is not applicable. Sections and Schedules identified as mandatory must be included in the printed form.
A) Project Overview
General Description:
Summarize the burn so a reviewer has a sense of what is to be accomplished in general terms, the season, size and fuel types. The objective here is to describe the burn so the more technical detail to follow is easier to analyze in a wider context.
Include any other pertinent descriptions such as smoke management zones, provincial park, range unit, TFL#, WMA etc.
B) Fuel/Stand Description
Some boxes may be left blank if not applicable to burnEXAMPLE:
| 1) | Biogeoclimatic Subzone | (i.e.IDFdm2/PPdh2(transitional)) |
| 2) | Site Series | (i.e. 01) |
| 3) | FBP Fuel Type | (i.e. C-7 Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir) |
| 4) | Forest Cover | (i.e. F 4202-14 (or describe in words)) |
| 5) | Slope | (i.e. Slope varies from 10 to 35% with broken terrain with an average slope of 20%. Two major draws found in SE corner.) |
| 6) | Aspect | (i.e. Dominant aspect is SW with 10% of site flat terrain.) |
| 7) | Elevation | (i.e. 860 meters average range 800-940 meters ) |
| 8) | Slope Position | (i.e. East side of valley bottom) |
| 9) | Valley Orientation | (i.e. North/South) |
| 10) | Duff Depth | (i.e. Average 5 cm. ) |
| 11) | Soil Texture (predominant) | (i.e. sandy loam) |
| 12) | Fuel Loading | (i.e. Average load 25kg/m2). |
Include photos whenever possible - these can be attached to the Burn Plan before submitting.
Additional information may be provided in Comments Section. i.e. fuel continuity, structure, orientation, hazards.
C) Prescribed Burn Objectives and Desired Fire Effects:
The multi line fields on this and all subsequent pages will allow you to type beyond the size of the textbox. Overflow text will not display on your computer screen, but will print when the form is printed.
Summary
Summarize the objectives and supplement with quantitative information. All objectives must be measurable. Some examples are provided below.
EXAMPLE:
- stimulating vegetative regrowth through the removal of older, less palatable shrubs and forbs; estimated 80% of bitterbrush expected to be consumed and rejuvenated.
- reducing litter layer depths that restrict forbs and grass production. There is no defined duff layer but Py needles should be reduced by 80%.
- reducing overall crown closure of the stand increasing the amount of sunlight reaching the forest floor. Target crown closure is 20%-existing is 50%.
- reducing the stands overall conifer density by 30-50%
- improve forage production on site by removal of old grass litter.
- ensuring that existing wildlife trees and vets throughout the site are protected and maintained during guarding and holding activities. Killing 1-5% of the 30cm dbh and greater stems to provide wildlife habitat specifically for Lewis's woodpecker.
- Reducing crown bulk densities and creating crown fuel gaps to reduce ability of the stand to support a sustained crown fire.
- Consuming 60% of the total available slash fuels to an average of 15 kg/m2.
- Reducing the overall fuel loading and available ladder fuels. 2-3 meter vertical separation between ground and live branches is desired. A scorch height of this amount will be achieved with a 1 to 2 meter flame length.
- reducing overall stand densities to a level compatible with the site's nutrient and moisture regimes. See attached Prescription
- spacing thickets of undersized and undesirable trees (Pli regen and Fdi thickets).
- Desired stem mortality by species (e.g. "fir") is as follows:
layer 4- 80% (40-90% acceptable range)
layer 3- 50% (20-60% acceptable range)
layer 2- 10% (1-20% acceptable range)
layer 1- <5% (0-10% acceptable range)
Weather
Where appropriate, indicate season of burn. List acceptable weather reading ranges for the day of the burn, as shown in the example table below. To verify the fire weather codes and indices, on site observations should be recorded for 30 days prior to burn. Forecast for the burn date, and at least 2 days following scheduled burn should be obtained prior to burning.
Some burns may only require maximum wind speed, or relative humidity.
EXAMPLE:
Observations |
Acceptable Range |
|
Temperature |
15 |
25 |
Relative Humidity |
15 |
50 |
Wind Speed |
5 |
15 |
Wind Direction |
SW |
S, SE |
Fire Weather Indices/Codes
Describe the source and range of indices; examples are provided below.
EXAMPLE:
The weather station that will be used to generate fire weather indices/codes is the <permanent> weather station set up at <Johnson Lake>.The following table lists the target range of fire indices/codes that must be met to proceed with the burn. When readings from the weather station indicate conditions approaching those acceptable for burning, staff will carry out on-site assessments. This will include the use of test fires to aid in determining if the suitable conditions exist.
Indices/Codes |
Acceptable Range |
|
F.F.M.C. |
85 |
89 |
D.M.C. |
16 |
35 |
D.C. |
50 |
200 |
I.S.I. |
3 |
8 |
B.U.I. |
20 |
35 |
F.W.I. |
6 |
16 |
Fuel Moisture Content
Where appropriate indicate the fuel moisture range, adjacent fuel moisture range, and the desired spread between burn fuel moisture reading and adjacent area readings. Will fuel moisture sticks or a moisture metre be used?
EXAMPLE:
Fuel moisture content will be a key factor in any prescribed fire application. All related indices will be taken on site. Preferred fuel moisture readings would range between 7 and 11%. Readings below 7% may indicate conditions too volatile to burn.
Fire Behaviour to meet Desired Fire Effects
Describe desired fire behaviour using flame length, rate of spread and any other qualitative or quantitative descriptors such as surface fire vs. crown fire, intensity class of fire, spotting potential etc. using the Canadian Forest Fire Behaviour Prediction System. (eg. FBP97, Predictor Planner)
EXAMPLE:
A low intensity fire with a slow rate of spread of up to 3 meters/minute is desired. Flame length may vary from .5 to 2 meters (Intensity class 2 to 3). Fire must have enough vigor to cause sporadic candling in the understory and immature Pl stands.Smoke Management
Must be in compliance with the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation of the Environmental Management Act.
Smoke Management considerations:
- Venting Index (statement of Venting Index should be made regarding venting conditions required at ignition-specific parameters identified)
- Forecasted venting conditions
- Smoke Plume Trajectory (drift)
- Smoke duration
- Describe any local MOU or other smoke management agreements and how compliance with this agreement will be ensured. Include contacts in Schedule 7 if required.
D) Values At Risk
Describe in detail any values within and outside (adjacent to) burn area that may be impacted by the burn, or may require consideration during the burn process. Statement should describe how values will be protected or accommodated.
- fence
- trail
- recreation site
- oil and gas facilities
timber (within and without AAC)
- mature
- wildlife tree patches (WTP)
- plantation
- stand tending project
environmental
- stubs
- red/blue listed species
- riparian
- visual quality objectives
other agency improvements
- hydro
- natural gas
- fibre optics
E) Public Relations and Information Strategy
In this section, describe the strategy that will be implemented to ensure the public is aware of the burn process.
- Press release (radio, newspaper)
- Pamphlets delivered door to door
- Information sessions for:
Agency (i.e. Fire Department)
Government (i.e. Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Health)
Special Interest Groups (i.e. First Nations, local groups, clubs)
Stakeholder Meetings
Schedule 8 should be used to show copies of notices and releases as well as provide more details around public relations or information to be disseminated
F) Prescribed Burn Operations
At completion of this section, the Complexity Rating Guide must be completed (Refer to Schedule 2 Prescribed Fire Complexity and Rating Guide)
Pre-burn Preparation
Describe the burn organization using the Incident Command System Organization principles - (Schedule 3) to a level where a reviewer can determine whether resources are sufficient. Refer to burn plan map(s)- (Schedule 12) and Stand/Fuel description map(s)-(schedule 1).
Describe actions to be taken prior to burn.
EXAMPLE:
- control lines in place
- public information strategy implemented
- obtain reference number
- safety plan completed
The On Site Communications Plan (Schedule 4), Medical Operations Plan (Schedule 5) and Safe Work Procedures (Schedule 6) are also part of Pre-Burn Preparations. On smaller projects, each of these can be described here, or applicable schedule can be completed.
Ignition and Control Plan
The following tables and descriptions will identify resources needed to carry out this prescribed burn and identify where the resources will be recruited with respect to the private and public sectors.
| Fire Suppression Resources at Burn Area for Ignition and Control: |
|||||
| Adult Persons: 8 |
Hand Tools: 8 |
Pumps: 2 |
Hose: 3800 ft. |
Heavy Equipment: |
Other: |
EXAMPLES:
Personnel listed below will be involved on Day 1 of the burn to assist with lightup and control operations and to extinguish escaped fires as they occur. If escape fires persist beyond Day 1, the Burn Boss has the authority to retain personnel for as long as is required.An agreement has been made with the ________ Fire Centre to provide personnel and equipment for the light up and mop-up portions of the burn. Also Protection staff will provide a training session every morning with all volunteers, B.C.F.S. staff and other cooperating agencies to ensure safe operations.
Describe type, pattern and sequence of ignition. The ignition pattern map should be included in Schedule 12.
EXAMPLE:
Lightup will be carried out using a helicopter equipped with an Aerial Ignition Device (A.I.D.). A strip pattern will be utilized lighting perpendicular to and into the wind. For example, if the winds are from the south, ignition strips will run east/west starting at the north end of the burn area. Fire intensity will be governed by varying the width between ignition strips and adjusting the number of A.I.D. balls dispensed on a given area. Crews pre-positioned along the guard will be responsible for igniting fuels adjacent to guards keeping pace with helicopter lightup. Authority remains with the Burn Boss to adjust lightup patterns and/or methods to best fit weather and fuel loading conditions. See ignition pattern map in Schedule 12.If post burn assessments reveal large unburned areas crews may be sent back to attempt a reburn of these areas within 2 days of initial lightup. The following conditions must exist prior to this taking place:
- objectives as per the burn plan will be achieved,
- weather conditions and fire danger are acceptable,
- staff and or contractors are available and
- sufficient funds still exist.
In such an instance, public contacts will be made again with interested/concerned parties.
Mop-up and Patrol Objectives
|
Mop-up and Patrol Objectives: All fires will be extinguished ________ days after ignition. |
|||||
| |||||
|
Adult Persons: 6 |
Hand Tools: 6 |
Pumps: 2 |
Hose: 2500 ft |
Heavy Equipment: |
Other: |
|
(total resources to be available and required for mop-up and patrol for Day 2 and onward) |
|||||
NOTE: Comments should indicate if burns should be extinguished less than the 14 days allowed by a Burn Reference Number - i.e. smoke issues, changing hazards.
EXAMPLE:
Mop-up operations, if required, will commence on Day 2 of the burn and will be carried out by B.C. Forest Service Protection staff, contractor personnel and volunteers. The Burn Boss will supervise mop-up activities ensuring an efficient and effective operation. The use of Protections tank trucks is anticipated and 6 to 10 fire fighters to carry out the mop up activities. Additional equipment may be required.Initial mop-up operations will likely be concentrated along the boundaries on the north along the road and the south boundary along the private fence. However, actual duties will be assigned by the Burn Boss at the time of the burn and will be dependent on fire activity, weather, etc.. Once the outer boundaries have been safeguarded it is planned to let the area within the guards continue to burn. This will allow time for accumulations and stumps to burn out, minimizing the amount of mop-up required. Our ability to do this will depend on weather and fire hazard at the time of the burn.
Note: The Burn Boss is ultimately responsible for the burn and is responsible for signing off paperwork, invoices etc. and ensuring an accurate record of costs is maintained.
Patrol Plan
This section should clearly state the resources and method by which the patrols will be conducted on site during the course of the entire burn project. The patrol plan should be addressed for all phases of the burn including the time when there will be no crews on site. Options to consider are crewpersons walking the burn perimeter, patrols from a helicopter or fixed wing, and checks by a local public contact.EXAMPLE:
Patrols will be carried out utilizing contract personnel who will be under the direction of the Burn Boss until the burn (and escapes if they occur) is declared out.Escape Fire Contingency Plan
Note: This section must identify the threshold that an escape fire will be declared a wildfire, whether that be at a certain size, cost or combination of the two (if at all possible identify areas on the map that would not or would be called a wildfire outside of the proposed burn perimeter). Fingers or islands adjacent to or within the burn area should be identified that may not be reasonably protected from burning – these would not be called a wildfire when burned. A yellow line should be drawn on the map encompassing any of these areas that will likely not be protected from burning or the maximum allowable burn perimeter identified that would not be called a wildfire.
Describe the holding strategy, escape fire contingency plan, how additional resources will be deployed and by whom.
|
Total Resources Required in Event of Fire Escape: |
|||||
|
Adult Persons: 12 |
Hand Tools: 12 |
Pumps: 2 Mark III |
Hose: 4000 ft |
Heavy Equipment: 1-D6 crawler |
Other: |
EXAMPLE:
1) The Burn Boss is responsible for directing manpower and equipment on the fireline. Crews will be strategically positioned along the guard to deal with escapes as they occur. Should individual crews not be able to handle an escape they will notify the Burn Boss immediately so that additional equipment and manpower can be deployed.2) The helicopter will be required to have on-site an approved fire fighting bucket for use in emergencies. The helicopter will also be used to provide a more accurate assessment of fires activity and ground requirements.
3) Roads and fence lines surrounding the burn site will be used as secondary defence lines as required and additional equipment, supplies, etc. will be ordered as required. See figure2 for secondary guard locations.
4) If fire exceeds 1 hectare beyond the secondary guards or if the burn boss feels lives and property may be threatened, the burn will be declared a wildfire and turned over to the ________ Fire Centre. All prescribed burn resources would remain on site and be directed by the assigned incident commander.
5) Identify here who is responsible for costs or portions of costs in the event of an escape fire.
G) Prescribed Burn Budget Estimates
In this section comments should be provided to show the source of funding sufficient to cover the cost of the project. This will allow the person accepting the burn plan to ensure that all phases including contingency are adequately funded in advance of the project commencement.
EXAMPLE:
Operational burning is funded by Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Fund, with cost estimates for each stage shown in the following table. The Burn Boss will be the designated receiving authority who will approve and sign off all invoices, with the Forest Official ensuring that invoices get to the proper funding sources.
| Stage | Requirement | Direct Cost |
| Preparation | Guard construction equipment hand crews |
$1200.00 $1000.00 |
| Lightup/control | Helicopter A.I.D. balls Standby/Ambulance MOF/WLAP staff |
$2400.00 $2500.00 $1000.00 $2500.00 |
| Mop-up/Patrol | equipment water trucks hand crews |
$1000.00 $1300.00 $8000.00 |
| Rehabilitation | Guard rehab. as required | $500.00 |
| TOTAL: |
$21400.00 | |
H) Monitoring
A strategy for assessing the efficacy of treatments to create or maintain open forest conditions.
Introduction
Where the efficacy (cost, likelihood of achieving objectives in the short and long-term) of a treatment to achieve and maintain open forest conditions is not clearly established, it is important to implement a cost effective but technically sound monitoring program. Current initiatives to manage some interior dry-belt forest types for open conditions are not new. Treatments with similar objectives, but focussed on creating more or better forage for livestock or native ungulates were implemented in the 1920's, the 1940's and again in the 1970's. However, little detailed information can be found that describes either the nature of the treatment or its efficacy in achieving objectives. If the current initiative to develop and maintain grasslands and some of the dry and very dry forest types in open canopy conditions is to succeed, grasslands and forest stands will require periodic treatments. In this context, a well designed monitoring program and evaluation procedure to assess treatment efficacy is essential. Such a program should involve retrospective studies to assess the effect of previous treatments on key indicators, monitoring procedures which provide a low-cost, qualitative assessment of the efficacy of treatments, and well designed research to evaluate and quantify ecosystem responses to treatments.
There is considerable uncertainty about the nature and likely efficacy of various management treatment options (see Chapter 4 and 7) for achieving openness objectives. As recently as the early 1800's, a variety of natural disturbances (e.g. fire [including lightning and First Nations ignitions], insect pests, windthrow, drought, etc.) maintained the historic mosaic of forest and grasslands. Currently, society expects a wide range of commodities and values (e.g. timber, recreation, livestock forage, ecosystem processes and biodiversity, etc) from these habitats, and this limits the utility of simply allowing nature to run its course. Furthermore, the grasslands and dry forests of the Southern Interior are no longer in the condition they were in the early 1800's. Extensive harvesting and livestock grazing have altered the species composition and structural attributes of these habitats, and non-native weeds pose an additional ecosystem management challenge. It is important to view many of the treatment options as adaptive management trials; hence a key component of any program to create open forest conditions will be to monitor the costs and efficacy of different treatments.
For a monitoring program to be effective and informative it needs to: (1) to provide information that is technically sound, (2) be relatively easy to implement (logistics and costs), (3) record data that is maintained in a secure archive for future evaluation, (4) be analyzed as periodic re-measurements are made, (5) be used to evaluate the efficacy and suitability of the past treatments prior to implementing subsequent treatments, (6) be applied to a range of treatments that seek to achieve the same objectives on different sites, and (7) be co-ordinated to ensure that a range of sites/treatment combinations are monitored.
One additional requirement follows the likely constraints on monitoring associated with logistics and cost. It is important to recognize that a monitoring program is unlikely to provide data on many of the stand structure or biotic changes that are related to treating the site, but which will not be documented due to the methods and resolution of the data collected. For example, changes in the abundance of uncommon or rare plants, the condition and species composition of the biocrust, changes in insect or bird populations, or changes in the growth and yield of timber are just some of the many issues that cannot be addressed in sufficient detail using the monitoring procedures suggested below. Hence, it is important to collect data in the monitoring program that can be used to relate conditions at the site to more detailed studies conducted elsewhere that address these issues. To facilitate the comparison of results between different treatments within the monitoring program, and to relate these to more detailed studies elsewhere, it is important that standard data collection procedures are adopted and applied at each measurement.
Planning
If the monitoring program is to collect data on a wide range of treatments on diverse sites, it will be difficult to implement a monitoring program at all sites. In addition, the re-measurement of these sites at 5-10 year intervals for the first 20+ years is critical, but will represent a significant cost. Some replication in the monitoring program (e.g. to monitor 3-5 sites with a specific treatment, initial conditions, site type combination) is desirable, but to monitor all sites being treated is neither feasible nor necessary. More important will be careful planning to ensure that the full range of treatments, even those believed to be unconventional, have well-designed and standardized monitoring programs.
Co-ordination at the regional level would help ensure that a range of treatments are being applied and monitored. Although the most critical effort would appear to be the short-term pre- and post-treatment measurements, succession and ongoing natural disturbances make it important to periodically re-measure and evaluate treatment efficacy. Issues such as the number of sites to monitor, the level of effort and priorities for monitoring will likely need to be assessed on an annual basis.
Data management
As noted above, the current program to create and maintain open canopy conditions in dry-belt forests is a re-visitation of old issues. Current efforts should have the benefit of information collected during previous initiatives. However, past programs did not leave clear documentation of the objectives, approaches and consequences of treatments and much will need to be learned without the benefit of such historic information. Unless steps are taken a priori to develop a planning and data management system for monitoring data, this unfortunate limitation of past programs will likely be repeated.
To plan, design and collect data is important, but unless the information is archived in a permanent facility to make it widely available for the review and design of future treatments, it is of little value. Several options for archiving data already exist (e.g. opening files, permanent sample plot inventory files, etc.), and the strengths and weaknesses of these should be explored prior to implementing a monitoring program.
Evaluation and feedback
Along with the assessment and screening of alternative candidate treatments, monitoring is a key component of any adaptive management program. However, unless the data collected at a monitoring installation is: (1) available, (2) assessed periodically, (3) evaluated critically with respect to achieving objectives, (4) evaluated relative to the efficacy of other treatment regimes, and (5) used to support decisions on future treatments (feedback), it is difficult to justify the costs associated with collecting and archiving information. It should be noted that these are not particularly onerous steps; they simply need to be systematically addressed and incorporated into the planning process for treatment implementation.
Monitoring procedures
The monitoring program and measurements described below should be implemented before the treatment, one growing season after the treatment and then every 5 years for a minimum of 20 years to establish treatment efficacy and document stand structure changes. Three levels of monitoring are described ranging from very simple (aerial photographs only) to more complex (aerial photographs, 70mm photography and ground photopoints). Research projects, involving focused questions, hypotheses, and replication form part of this continuum, and should be encouraged and incorporated into the treatment monitoring program on a planned basis. Cost increases from level one to three, as does the value and utility of the information collected. The level picked will be guided by the project goals, available resources and monitoring priorities.
Level 1
1. A clear description of the project objectives that identifies the desired stand structure and the expected timeline for achieving these objectives.
2. A qualitative description of the site, indicating existing stand structure and understory conditions.
3. High-level color aerial photography (e.g. 1:15,000) that represents pre- and short-term post-treatment conditions of the site being treated, and an adjacent "control" area. Photographs should be from flights that are prior to but as close to the treatment date as possible, and within several years following treatment. The adjacent "control" site will facilitate evaluations of treatment efficacy as it provides a reference condition that is likely subject to the same ongoing, non-treatment natural disturbances as the treatment site.
4. One or more aerial photographs (e.g. 35mm slides or prints) that illustrate pre- and post-treatment conditions. If the site is small (e.g. < 10 ha), one aerial photograph may cover the entire area. For large areas, one or more sample photographs of the treatment-untreated interface will help illustrate the level of contrast created by the treatment. Photograph locations should be marked on the site map, and wherever possible, include permanent landmarks or features such as roads in the photograph as reference points.
Level 2
In addition to level 1 include:
1. A minimum of five ground-level photo points (see Appendix 1 for photo point procedure) chosen at random distances along transects in each major plant community or site series within the treatment unit. Ideally, these five or more photo points should be located in the same subplots identified in the level 1 methods (#4) to provide more detailed information of ground conditions. The project area will need to be stratified and mapped at the prescription stage to determine the location of the major units, and recorded on an aerial photo, ortho photo or forest cover map. GPS locations (+/- 2m) and a painted, metal pin should be established to record the center of the photopoint. Record the approximate locations of the photopoints on the site map or aerial photo.
2. Adjacent to the site being treated, identify a similar number of paired "control" sites on which to establish photo points. The sites should be paired on the basis of approximately similar abiotic (e.g. moisture, soil type, slope, aspect, etc.), stand structure and tree species composition. The photographs should be referenced to easily visible and permanent markers (e.g. roads, rock outcrops, etc. ) to facilitate future re-measurements. GPS locations (+/- 2m) and a painted, metal pin should be established to record the center of the photopoint. Record the approximate locations of the "control" photopoints on the site map or aerial photo.
3. At each photo point record the fuel load class as determined from the photographic guide.
The following web site contains further information on examples and procedures. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/protect/Organization/Kamloops/FuelPlot/Introduction.htm
4. Classify the stand structure conditions of each photopoint location using the attached classification scheme (see Appendix 2).
This level of monitoring will help detect major changes of plant cover of the grass/forb, shrub and tree layers and large changes to fuel load and stand structure in response to the treatment.
Level 3
In addition to level 1and 2 include:
1. Systematically (i.e. at predetermined locations on a grid or along a transect) or at random, identify a minimum of five locations within the treatment unit and use high resolution photography (a scale of between 1:1000 to 1:2000) to evaluate crown closure, shrub vigour and cover, and tree species composition in a 40 m radius subplot (0.5 ha). Adjacent to the site being treated, identify a similar number of paired "control" sites to photograph. The sites should be paired on the basis of approximately similar abiotic (e.g. moisture, soil type, slope, aspect, etc.), stand structure and tree species composition. The photographs should be referenced to easily visible and permanent markers (e.g. roads, rock outcrops, etc.) to facilitate future re-measurements. 70mm photography, preferably stereo, at a height of 100-150m would provide the desired quality and image resolution. These photographs will provide useful data for evaluating treatment effects on large trees, changes in tree canopy and shrub density, the dispersion of gaps and thickets, and changes in species composition.
Research
The monitoring approaches described above are intended to provide qualitative estimates of large-scale changes in the dominant vegetation on the site following treatment. They are not intended to provide technically rigorous, empirical estimates of these changes, or estimates of the treatment effects on biota. These are critical issues that need to be considered when evaluating the efficacy of a stand treatment. However, rather than attempting to address these issues on an extensive scale, the monitoring program should be coupled to a more detailed research effort that applies technically rigorous (and likely more costly) methods to either retrospective of time-series studies.
Appendix 1--Photo point procedure
At each photo point 3 photos will be taken (method attached) and the following information will be recorded.
- Environmental site characteristics (attached)
- Stand Structure code (Attached)
- Fuel code at this internet site http://bcwildfire.ca/Prevention/fuelmanagement.htm
- List of plants and the canopy cover within 2m radius of the photo point giving the 3 most prominent species for each of the following layers:
- Grasses
- Forbs
- Shrubs <50 cm tall
- Trees <1m tall
- Total cover of lichen and mosses not identified by species
- As well the presence and canopy cover of invasive weeds will be noted.
Photo point method
- Select a spot that represents the type and drive a bent rebar stake. Record its location (UTM) and distance and bearing from marked tie points
- Place the photo board at the stake and take one photo 5m back from the board with the camera centered and focused on the top of the board.
- Move to 2 m away from the board and take one picture with the board on the left side of the frame and one picture with the board on the right side of the frame.
- Record species and cover estimates
- Fill out the site information form
Site information form
| site name | Date site visited | |
| site number | ||
| BEC | ||
| Elevation | Slope | Aspect |
| Soil Texture | ||
| Moisture Regime
Very xeric Xeric Subxeric Mesic Subhygric Hygric Subhydric Hydric |
Site position
Macro Apex Face Upper slope Middle slope Lower slope Valley floor Plain |
Meso
Crest Upper slope Middle slope Lower slope Toe Depression level |
| Surface Shape
Concave Convex Straight |
Microtopography
Smooth Micro mounded <.3m Slightly mounded>3-1 >7m apart Moderately mounded.3-1m 3-7m apart Strongly mounded.3 1m 1-3m apart Severly mounded.3-1m .3 -m apart Extremely mounded>1m >3m apart Ultra mounded>1m <3m apart |
|
| Exposure
N/A Wind Isolation Frost Cold air Saltspray Air toxicity Other |
Humus Form
Zoomull (crumb Ah no F or H) Rhisomull (grasslands) Moder (F not matted) mixed Mor (matted L,F and H) not mixed |
|
EXAMPLE:
Objectives of the burn will be determined by two pre-burn plots and digital photographs at pre defined locations. (Refer to NDT4 monitoring)Documentation
Post burn results should be included on history database (eg. inventory mapping system). All relevant documentation should be placed on opening files and/or project files.EXAMPLE:
Upon completion of wildlife burn, post burn info is forwarded to land manager, protection zone office or fire centre.
Schedule 1 - Stand/Fuel Description Map
This map is optional depending whether detail can be covered on the Burn Plan map or not.
Schedule 2 - Prescribed Fire Complexity Worksheet & Rating Guide
When using the rating guide, identify the rating factor of 1,2, or 3 which more closely fits the situation in general. Do not rate to a higher factor if only 1 issue may fit in that category.
To put the complexity rating guide into context:
It is expected that 90% of post harvesting burns will fall into a Type III rating. Most range and habitat maintenance burns will fall into Type III. Type II burns would include significant risks to adjacent high values, sensitive ecosystem and biological considerations, or may be a stand replacement (of standing timber) burn with a low potential of consequences. A Type I burn would include significant risks to high adjacent values with potential conditions of intense fire behaviour conditions.
| Complexity Element | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Safety Weighting Factor 5 |
Safety issues are easily identified and relatively easily mitigated. | Number of significant safety issues have been identified. Most can be mitigated. | Complex safety issues exist. eg. No vehicle access or remote access only. |
| Threats to Boundaries Weighting Factor 5 |
Low threat to boundaries. Low risk of spotting. Boundaries naturally or easily defendable. (i.e. FFMC of 80 - 85). | Moderate threat to boundaries. Moderate risk of spotting. Boundaries need modification to strengthen fuel breaks, lines etc. (i.e. FFMC of 86 - 90) | High threat to boundaries. High risk of spotting. Boundary modification necessary to compensate for continuous fuels or uneven boundaries.(i.e. FFMC of > 90). |
| Fire Behaviour, Wx,Fuel & Topog. Weighting Factor 5 |
Low variability in slope or aspect. Wx uniform & predictable. Surface fuels only (grass,needles) Uniform fuel type/load. No drought conditions present. | Moderate variability in slope or aspect. Wx variable but predictable. Ladder fuels present. Moderate variability in fuel type or loading. BUI indicates normal to moderate drought conditions exist. | High variability in slope or aspect. Wx variable & difficult to predict. Highly variable fuel types or loading. BUI indicates severe drought conditions exist. Altered fire regime, hazardous fuel or stand density conditions exist. Extreme fire behaviour potential. |
| Objectives Weighting Factor 4 |
Maintenance objectives Easily achieved objectives. Broad prescription. | Restoration objectives Reduction in both live & dead fuels Objectives judged to be moderately hard to achieve. Objectives may require intense fire behaviour. | Restoration objectives in altered fuel situations. Precise treatment of fuels & multiple ecological objectives. Conflicts between objectives & constraints. Requires a combination of fire intensities that are difficult to achieve. |
| Size of Project Organization Weighting Factor 4 |
Single resource project < 12 people on site. | Multiple resource project 13 - 24 people on site. Short term need for specialized resources. | Multiple branches, divisions or groups. > 24 people on site. Specialized resources required to accomplish objectives. |
| Improvements Weighting Factor 3 |
Low risk to people or property or improvements within or adjacent to project. | Several (close) values to be protected Mitigation through planning and/or preparations is required. May require some commitment of specialized resources. | Numerous improvements and/or numerous values to be protected. Unacceptable impacts likely without commitment of specialized resources with appropriate skill levels. |
| Timber/Natural (i.e.Flora & Fauna)/ Cultural & Social Values Weighting Factor 3 |
Low risk to values within or adjacent to project.(i.e. timber only) | Several (close) values to be protected. Mitigation through planning and/or preparations is required. May require some commitment of specialized resources or timing considerations.(i.e. sensitive cultural values). | Numerous improvements and/or numerous values to be protected. Unacceptable impacts likely without commitment of specialized resources with appropriate skill levels. (i.e. endangered red/blue species) |
| Air Quality Weighting Factor 3 |
Few smoke sensitive areas near project. 95% Smoke is produced for less than 1 burning period. No potential for scheduling conflicts with other agencies. | Multiple smoke sensitive areas, but smoke impact mitigated in plan. 95% Smoke produced for 2 - 4 burning periods. Low potential for scheduling conflict | Multiple smoke sensitive areas with complex mitigation actions required. 95% Smoke produced longer than 4 days. Class 1 smoke sensitive areas. High potential for scheduling conflict |
| Logistics Weighting Factor 3 |
Easy Access Less than 4 day project, not including patrol status. |
Difficult Access Support required for 4 - 10 days. Logistics Chief required. Anticipated difficulty in obtaining resources. |
No vehicle or remote access only. Duration of project is greater than 10 days. Large logistics section required. Remote camps. |
| Political Considerations Weighting Factor 2 |
Minimal impact on neighbours or visitors. Minimal controversy. Minimal media interest. | Some impact on neighbours or visitors. Some controversy but mitigated. Press release or communications plan required | High impact on neighbours or visitors. High internal or external concerns Media present during operations, media contact on site. |
| Tactical Operations Weighting Factor 2 |
Simple ignition pattern. Single ignition method. Holding requirements minimal. | Multiple ignition methods or sequences. Use of specialized ignition methods. Holding actions required to check, direct, or delay fire spread. Simultaneous use of hand and aerial ignition methods. | Complex ignition patterns. Simultaneous use of multiple ignition patterns or methods. Success of actions critical to accomplishment of objectives. Aerial support for mitigation actions desirable or necessary. |
| Multiagency Coordination or Involvement Weighting Factor 1 |
No major involvement with other agencies. No major concerns |
Simple joint agency project. Some concerns. |
Complex multiagency project. High Concerns |
Schedule 3 - Organization Chart
Complete Organization Chart according to Incident Command System.
Schedule 4 - On Site Communications Plan
Identify radio frequencies, known dead spots and possible issues regarding communications during all phases of the project. Ensure communications plan is adequate for the prescribed burn project as well as radio procedures for the communication portion of the medical plan. These items should be included in the pre-burn briefing. Also, where multiple agencies are on site, confirm frequencies for contact by all personnel on site. Recommend the communications plan have the ability to access data off the project site, ie updated weather forecast.
EXAMPLE:
All ignition, control and ground crew will use the private frequency of 163.500. Use of this frequency will increase safety and decrease outside interference. The Safety Officer will also monitor the B.C. Parks Yellow frequency which connects to the Forest Service and Prince George Fire Centre. The Silver Channel may be used by staff in other functions to avoid interference with operations. There are currently no confirmed "dead" spots in any areas of the burn unit. As a back up, the look-out located across the valley will also act as a radio relay.
Schedule 5 - Medical Operations Plan
Click the button at the bottom of the page to print the FS379 - Medical Operations Plan and attach it to the printed form, or use a similar format to fill in this field.
Schedule 6 - Safe Work Procedures
All operations must meet W.C.B. "Industrial Health and Safety Regulations".
Ensure known hazards are identified and addressed, a safety plan is in place as a schedule and that burn crew is briefed on escape routes, ETV location etc.
EXAMPLE:
Visibility along the Premier Lake Road and Highway 93\95 will be monitored on an ongoing basis. If as a result of the burn, visibility is substantially reduced, flag people will be contracted to ensure public safety."Safety Procedures for Working Near Danger/Wildlife Trees" have been developed specifically for this site and attached. All workers will be made aware of these procedures in the pre-burn meeting.
Danger Tree Assessment of the burn and adjacent areas will be completed prior to any burning operations commencing.
Burn crew will be briefed on known hazards and safe work procedures as well as location of ETV, first aid attendant, escape routes etc. as per the Medical Operations Plan (schedule 5). The safety briefing will be held the morning of the burn, minutes will be kept.
Schedule 7 - Notification Checklist
This checklist provides space for all contacts to be listed. (including smoke management required contacts) This will include contact information for any private citizens or agencies or other Government Ministries who may need to be contacted prior to or during the burn. This list may include, but is not limited to the following:
Fire Department
Utilities
School Districts
Industry
Land owners, managers
Media
Schedule 8 - Public Notice
Provide any press releases to Television, Newspaper and/or Public Notices. Copy and paste the text into this field, or attach clippings to the hard copy. If additional details around public relations or information to be disseminated is identified under Section E the details can be placed under public notice (or appended as part of Schedule 8). Be sure to identify date/time of broadcast.
EXAMPLE:
Open House Notification The B.C. Forest Service will be conducting a prescribed burn in the Wasa/ Skookumchuck area when weather conditions permit between March 23 and April 25, 1998.The proposed 750 hectare burn is located near Skookumchuck, east of Highway 93/95 and south of Premier Lake within the Wolf-Sheep Creek Range Unit. It is expected the burn will be completed in one day with mop-up work to follow as required.
Historically, the Rocky Mountain Trench renewed itself through frequent ground fires. Such fires removed the understory and maintained a relatively open forest of large diameter healthy trees. Modern fire suppression has caused a gradual change in the character of the forests in the Rocky Mountain Trench. Woody debris has accumulated, root diseases have increased and a dense understory of often decadent trees have established. These factors have caused an overall deterioration in wildlife habitat, forest values and increase the potential risk of high impact wildfires. The reintroduction of low intensity ground fire is intended to maintain and restore the forest to a fire maintained ponderosa pine, blue bunch wheat grass community that would be natural for this site.
This ongoing restoration program is administered by the B.C. Forest Service with financial and operational assistance from the Fish and Wildlife Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
An open house is scheduled for March 18, 1998 at the Wasa Community Hall between the hours of 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to present more detailed information about the ecosystem restoration program and this prescribed burn in particular.
For more information:
Schedule 8 - Public Notice - Radio Station
Copy text of Radio Announcements and paste into this field. Identify Radio Station, and dates/times of announcements.
EXAMPLE:
Public Notice - CKEK Radio Station
INVERMERE FOREST DISTRICT INTERAGENCY PRESCRIBED BURN
INVERMERE -- If weather conditions permit, the British Columbia Forest Service will be conducting a prescribed burn in the Skookumchuck area this afternoon.
The proposed 610 hectare burn is situated southeast of Skookumchuck and east of Highway 93/95 in an area known as Premier Ridge. The burn will be completed in one day with mop-up work to follow as required.
The Premier Ridge prescribed burn is part of an ongoing program involving the use of low intensity fire in an attempt to restore biodiversity, improve wildlife habitat and the range resource in formerly fire dependent forests like those in the Rocky Mountain Trench.
The objectives of the burn include:
- improving habitat for wildlife and domestic cattle;
- maintaining or enhancing habitat diversity;
- reducing the risk of wildfire throughout the area;
- improving tree growth and vigor to enable trees to fend off attacks by insects and disease;
- reversing or retarding forest encroachment;
- reducing tree crown closure;
- thinning out or eliminating dense diseased poorly formed stands of lodgepole pine.
This ongoing program is a joint venture of the B.C. Forest Service and the Fish and Wildlife Branch of the Ministry of Environment with financial and operational assistance from the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Weather conditions are predicted to be close to ideal in order for us to carry out the burn today, achieving our management objectives while ensuring that the smoke from the burn does not create hardships on any people or wildlife in the vicinity. There may be a possibility toward evening that some smoke may return from higher altitudes, however, this is not expected to cause any problems for anyone due to the location of the burn area and the terrific weather that we are expecting today.
If you have any questions, please discuss it with our representatives on site or call Richard Dominy at the Invermere Forest District Office at 342-4200..
Schedule 9 - Traffic Plan
Provide a description of measures that will be taken to minimize the impact of this project on the road systems adjacent to or near the burn area.
EXAMPLE:
Three sites have been located along the highway to facilitate public viewing of the burn area. It is expected that traffic control and marshalling within this area will be required (Schedule 12, Map 8). Required traffic control and marshalling will be a function of smoke present within the highway corridor. Night time travel through the burn area during the ignition and mop up phases of the burn pose the greatest safety hazard to motorist. If smoke significantly impairs visibility at any time during burning operations, a pilot car system will be established to move traffic safely through the burn area.
Schedule 10 - Security Plan
A security plan should be prepared where public safety, protection of values, equipment and/or restrictions (NOTAM) are required.
Schedule 11 - Go No-Go Checklist
The Go No-Go Checklist is to be completed immediately before ignition takes place. A no answer to any item indicates that the burn should not proceed.
Schedule 12 - Burn Plan Map
Maps can be inserted into this field by copying the picture (alt + print screen) and then pasting it into the field (right click, "paste"). Alternatively, maps can be attached to the hard copy of the form prior to submission.
Burn Plan maps should include the following information: burn area, ignition strategy (pattern and type with wind direction), escape routes, contours, primary and secondary fuel breaks, deployment of resources, staging area, helicopter staging area if different, water sources, first aid station and ETV if required and values at risk if close to burn area.
Burn plan mapping is recommended to consist of a series of maps for large complex burns and one or two maps for simpler burns. Maps should be to the same cartographic standards as other required documents.
| Map Legend: | |
| Slope - arrow points down slope | % |
| Tenure boundary if applicable | Purple |
| Proposed burn perimeter | Red |
| Areas to protect from fire | Green |
| Fuel break - constructed | Black |
| Preburn | Pink |
| Anticipated moisture breaks | Blue |
| Maximum allowable burn perimeter | Yellow |
| Ignition sequence | 1, 2, 3 etc. |
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