Prescribed fire is an important tool used for a wide range of purposes including fuels reduction, pasture and timber management, and ecosystem health. Practitioners use their understanding of fire behavior and fire ecology to plan burns that will meet specific objectives. This process involves several steps: scouting and preparing the burn unit, planning the burn, conducting the burn, and monitoring the results.
The goal of the Prescribed Fire Basics collection of modules is to provide introductory-level information to increase understanding of the importance and mechanics of prescribed burns. These modules are intended for anyone looking to better understand the benefits of prescribed fires and how they are conducted. Readers will learn the role prescribed fire plays across Oregon, and get a basic outline of the steps that go into planning and implementing a prescribed burn.