Preparing for the Burn

1. Preparing for the Burn Greg Pleasant Wildlife Biologist

2. The Importance of a Written Burn Plan • shows that you know what you are doing and have thought the process through • shows you have prepared the site, you have adequate equipment, personnel and a contingency plan in case something goes wrong

3. Why Do I Need a Written Plan? • It’s a record of what your objectives are for the fire. • What weather parameters will it take to accomplish the objectives and what safe guards will it take to contain the fire? • Most importantly, if the plan is prepared correctly and followed, it can help limit your liability.

4. Written objectives should always include the removal of biomass to reduce wildfire.

5. Where To Find Information? • The Internet is the best resource. • One good site is the Coastal Bend Burn Association Website.

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10. COASTAL BEND PRESCRIBED BURN ASSOCIATION PRESCRIBED BURN PLAN Ranch___Reamy_______________ Acres to be burned ____75_______ Pasture Name _________House __________________________ I. SPECIAL OBJECTIVES TO BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE PRESCRIBED BURN Remove thatch. Reduce canopy of woody species. Promote secondary succession of herbaceous cover. II. GRAZING MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH PRESCRIBED BURN A. Preburn: 6 months rest B. Postburn: 3 months rest III. FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN A. Fire Boss: ____Mike Reamy_________________ B. Check type and give dimensions of fireguards: ( )Bladed (x)Disked Minimum width __10 ft______ C. Firing method for main fire (type of ignition, direction of torch movement, etc. Also see attached “Burn Plan Map”): Backfire on the downwind side lighting into wind. A to B and A to D. Once blackline is established of 50 ft. Light head fire into wind from C to B and C to D. COASTAL BEND PRESCRIBED BURN ASSOCIATION PRESCRIBED BURN PLAN Ranch___Reamy_______________ Acres to be burned ____60_______ Pasture Name _________Area 2 __________________________ I. SPECIAL OBJECTIVES TO BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE PRESCRIBED BURN Remove thatch. Reduce canopy of woody species. Promote secondary succession of herbaceous cover and fuel reduction to lessen the chance of wildfire. II. GRAZING MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH PRESCRIBED BURN A. Preburn: 6 months rest B. Postburn: 3 months rest III. FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN A. Fire Boss: ____Mike Reamy_________________ B. Check type and give dimensions of fireguards: ( )Bladed (x)Disked Minimum width __10 ft______ C. Firing method for main fire (type of ignition, direction of torch movement, etc. Also see attached “Burn Plan Map”): Backburn the downwind sides lighting next to the mineral line inside the unit (A,B). Once the fuel has been consumed at least 50 ft into the unit, the remainder can then be ringed as head fires meet in the NE corner (C,D). Shredded lines within the unit might make it possible to burn four compartments separately and may require more ignition work to burn the entire unit.

11. D. Plan of action should fire jump fireguard or wind change direction: Unless changed below will us “Standard Spotfire Containment Procedure”, page 8. Spotters should be positioned on the downwind sides of the unit to watch for potential escapes or spotting. If a spot fire or escape occurs it should be radioed immediately to all personnel. Further ignition should stop and assigned personnel should respond. The owners house is in a sensitive area and should be watched for falling embers. If the standard spotfire containment procedures are not feasible, consider back burning off other defendable fireguards downwind of the escape. The burn boss will make the decision if further action is needed, including calling for a fire department. E. Map: (Map may be had sketch) Include items such as legend, water sources, roads, gates, major utilities, north arrow and smoke mgt. if necessary.

12. Mineral Lines Intended Burn Unit Short Flank Head Fire Long Flank

13. Spotters should be positioned on the downwind sides of the unit to watch for potential escapes or spotting. If a spot fire or escape occurs it should be radioed immediately to all personnel. Further ignition should stop and assigned personnel should respond. The owners house is in a sensitive area and should be watched for falling embers. If the standard spotfire containment procedures are not feasible, consider back burning off other defendable fireguards downwind of the escape. The burn boss will make the decision if further action is needed, including calling for a fire department.

14. N

15. A Start B D Finish C Wind

16. The most important thing you can do when selecting the best day to burn is to resist the temptation to select a calendar day. • During the planning process, get into the mind set that you will be burning during a 3 to 5 week window. If you get mentally committed to a date your judgment will be clouded.

17. F. Projected dates of burning: ______1/15/10 to 3/15/10 G Planned start time of burn: ________1400_________ J. Weather conditions (Prescription) 1. Wind a. Velocity Needed __6-20 mph_ Actual_____________ b. Direction Needed _any direction Actual_____________ 2. Relative Humidity a. Needed: From ___30_____% to ___60_____% b. Actual: From __________% to __________% 3. Air Temperature a. Needed: From ____35___°F to ___85____°F b. Actual: From °_________°F to _________°F 4. Weather Forecast: National Weather Service:(361)289-0959 (Corpus Christi, TX) 5. Moisture Conditions Needed a. Soil Surface _______dry to moist__________________ b. Soil Subsoil _______dry to moist___________________ 6 Fine fuel conditions 1. Amount (lbs. per ac.) ________> 1500______________ 2. Continuity ________________good________________ 3. Fine Fuel Moisture % ________30-55%______________

19. K. Equipment Checklist (Indicate equipment available for burn) • Pumper truck _________________1_______________ • Tractor or grader ___________1________________ • ATVs with electric spray tanks ____2__________ • Drip torch(s) __________________2_____________ • Fire weather kit _____________1_______________ • Two-way Radios ______________4________________ • Gasoline (40%) ____4_________gal • Diesel (60%) _____6__________gal • Chain Saw_____________________________________ • Flappers _________4___________________________ • Drinking Water _____10 gal____________________ • Livestock sprayers____________________________ • Flagmen ______________________________________ • Flags for flagmen ____________________________ • Sprayer engine fuel __________________________ • NOAA radio ______________1____________________ • Matches or lighter_______yes__________________ • All cotton clothing______yes__________________ • Vehicles ________________2___________________ • Backpack Sprayers________available____________ • Shovel(s), pliers________available________ • Cellular phone _________yes___________________ • Other items:

20. Fire weather kit

21. L. Preburn Protection Needs (Indicate items of concern) • Headquarters ___________gaurded_________________ • Livestock________________evacuated______________ • Pens and Barns _____________gaurded_____________ • Feeders / Mineral boxes _____gaurded____________ • Hunting Facilities __________gaurded____________ • Tractor/Maintainer _____________________________ • Utility Poles ______________na__________________ • Oil/gas/pipelines and facilities _____na________ • Fences ______________________gaurded____________ • Others: • ________________________________________________ • ________________________________________________ • ________________________________________________ M. Preburn Briefing and Inspections Burn boss should give crew a preburn briefing to insure all crewmembers know their assignments and safety concerns. Experienced crewmember should be assigned to inspect the fireguards to ensure their adequacy just prior to starting the burn to confirm area is ready to burn. Inspection of fireguards (Name)____________Mike Reamy_________

22. N. Crew members and Responsibilities Name Responsibi1ity __CBPBA__Member______ Lighter_________________________ _ CBPBA__Member ______ Fire suppression_________________ _ CBPBA__Member ______ Fire suppression _________________ _ CBPBA__Member ______ Fire suppression _________________ _CBPBA__Member_______ Weather monitoring________________ O. Notification 1. Adjacent landowners (Ranch operator’s responsibility) Name Phone Number Date notified ______John Doe_______ _____________ _BR549__________ ______Jane Doe_______ _____________ _________________ _____________________ _____________ _________________ _____________________ _____________ _________________ _____________________ _____________ _________________ _____________________ _____________ _________________ 2. Fire Departments County __DeWitt _____ Phone Number _ 361-275-5734 Notified _____ Other __________________ Phone Number ____________ Notified _____ Other __________________ Phone Number ____________ Notified _____ 3. Utilities Name ___NA______________ Phone Number ____________ Notified _____ Name ___________________ Phone Number ____________ Notified _____ 4. Closest Hospital __Cuero___________ Phone __361 275-6191____

23. 5. Others Texas Department of Public Safety Phone Number _______________ Oil and Gas lessees ____NA_____Number ___________ Notified Oil and Gas lessees ___________Number ___________ Notified Oil and Gas lessees ___________Number ___________ Notified Name ___TCEQ___________ Phone Number ____________ Notified _____ Name ___________________ Phone Number ____________ Notified _____ Name ___________________ Phone Number ____________ Notified _____ P. “Mop up” after burn 1. Maintain close observation of the burned area until fire is completely extinguished. Name ______Mike Reamy______________ 2. Maintains constant weather vigil until burn is complete and stays in contact with weather station throughout burn. Name ________Mike Reamy____________ 3. Check perimeter for firebrand source such as trees, posts, cow chips, logs, smoldering rubble, etc. during and after burn. Name ________CBPBA Member_____ 4 Other tasks: Name ____Mike Reamy________ Task _Call dispatch when finished Name ______________________ Task _______________________ Name ______________________ Task _______________________

24. Q. Plan Review 1. Planned By: ____Kirk Feuerbacher__ Date ___2/5/10_____ Title _______CPBPA President_________________ 2. Reviewed By:__________________________ Date ___________ Title ________________________________________ R. Liability Statement: I have been informed and I understand that I could be liable for damages resulting from this prescribed burn and the cost of fire suppression should the fire escape from the designated area. Landowner/Operator _____________________________ Date ___________

25. Plan first for safety, then for meeting your objectives with appropriate fuel loads and weather conditions, then for appropriate post burn management. • Getting fire breaks installed, accumulating adequate fine fuel loads, and arranging necessary equipment and personnel can all be accomplished with good planning and organization.

26. Follow reasonable and acceptable practices in preparation and execution, including having adequate fire guards, equipment and personnel. If you do everything a reasonable person would have done, then you will limit your liability. If your fire causes damages you should take responsibility and apologize for any harm you may have caused.

27. IN CONCLUSION • Know what the laws are • Prepare a complete burn plan • Get your neighbors involved • Follow your plan