Does PBA have liability coverage?

When it comes to prescribed fire liability, WASHINGTON is a simple negligence state. That means some states have stricter liability laws than we do, but some states have more forgiving laws (from the landowner's perspective). WASHINGTON is in the middle. 

If a prescribed fire on your land gets too big for you to handle and DNR OR LOCAL FIRE DISTRICT must respond, you can be held liable for the suppression costs. But only if it can be shown that you were negligent in some way. The negligence does not have to be gross or malicious --  small lapses will do. However, if you had a burn plan, especially if it was approved by WA DNR, and you did not deviate from that burn plan, you have a very good argument that you should not be held liable for suppression costs. You can learn more here.

What is a prescribed fire?

Prescribed fires, also known as Rx burns or controlled burns, refer to the intentional, controlled, and planned application of fire to a landscape under specified weather conditions to restore health to ecosystems that depend on fire. Click here for the Forest Service’s page on prescribed fire. Prescribed fire includes underburning, broadcast burning, and pile burning.

Is a prescribed fire a wildfire?

No. A wildfire is an unplanned fire lit by a person or natural causes. Wildfires lit by people, whether intentional (a.k.a. arson) or by accident, will always be suppressed by firefighting resources. Wildfires lit by natural causes, like lightning, however can benefit the landscape and reduce fuel loading naturally. Lightning fires are generally suppressed unless they are deep in a wilderness area, away from human infrastructure.

Is prescribed fire dangerous?

With the proper experience, burn plan, equipment, and number of people, a prescribed fire can be very safe. But as with high risk activities, such as driving a car or riding a bike, comes inherent risk.

What is a prescribed burn association (PBA)?

PBAs are “community-based mutual aid networks” for prescribed fire where individual community members volunteer their time help each other plan, prep, and burn their land.

How can I use prescribed fire on my property?

Click here or contact a PBA coordinator and they will be able to explain the process.

What can prescribed fire do to benefit my property?

Prescribed fire can do many things. It can reduce the risk of wildfire on your property, remove invasive species, promote native species (trees, wildflowers, animals), bring neighbors together, and more.

Do I need any experience to participate in a PBA burn?

No! Attending a prescribed fire with PBA is a great way to learn how prescribed fires work: we think learning on-the-job is the best way to learn. Generally, new practitioners will be placed with more experienced folks.

What should I wear to a PBA burn?

Please always wear cotton long-sleeve t-shirts, cotton pants, leather gloves, and primarily leather boots. Natural fibers (cotton, wool, leather) are naturally flame-resistant and are appropriate to wear. Avoid wearing synthetic clothing as it has the possibility of melting to your skin. Unlike what you may see firefighters wearing on the news, PBA does not require any “Nomex” or synthetic flame-resistant clothing.

Do my boots need to be all-leather?

No, but it is highly recommended. Partial-leather boots, like common hiking boots, are fine for most PBA activities, just be careful of dripping torch fuel on your boots or stepping in hot ash. Hot fuel and ash can melt synthetic fabrics and/or melt the glue on the soles of your boots.

What is TREX?

TREX stands for Prescribed Fire Training Exchange. It is a program, originally started by a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy and the USDA Forest Service, designed to train wildland fire professionals and other natural resource managers on how to implement prescribed fire in regional settings. In Plumas County we have the Plumas Cal-TREX, which focuses on regional capacity building, meaning participants can assist the Plumas National Forest on federal burns and Forest Service employees can assist in prescribed fire on private land.

Plumas Cal-TREX occurs every spring with some NWCG courses, an Arduous Work Capacity Test, non-standardized classes and activities, and plenty of knowledge sharing. After attending one of these some of these workshops, you are usually placed on an on-call burn crew that is notified of potential burning opportunities on both public and private land through an email list.

Is Plumas Cal-TREX the same thing as PBA?

No. While many PBA members participate in the local TREX every year, TREX is an event, while PBA is a group. Sometimes TREX participants will help PBA implement prescribed fire.