Policy 9.5 - Prescribed Fire

Effective Date: 15-Feb-97
Responsible Branch: Forest Practices Branch

Resource Management Volume Table of Contents | Amendment Log

Scope

This policy covers the administration and use of prescribed fire. Prescribed fires are controlled fires that burn forest or range fuels to achieve the objectives of land and resource management prescriptions. A prescription is an area analysis of site conditions which prescribes the most suitable treatment based on those conditions and the land management objectives.

Policy

Prescribed fire will be used where it is the most suitable ecological site treatment to achieve desired objectives of land and resource management prescriptions (Ministry of Forests Act, s. 4(b)).

The application of prescribed fire must be:

• conducted as outlined in an approved burn plan, and
• in accordance with current field guides for the identification and interpretation of ecosystems

Conditions

All prescribed burning must comply with (as per Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, s. 76):

• the approved burn prescription and plan
• the requirements of the burning permit
• the objectives of the district fire management plan
• Ministry policy and procedures on smoke management, and regional and district smoke management plans

All Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks wildlife habitat burning will be governed by the Protocol agreement between the two ministries.

Monitoring

Prescribed burning operations are to be monitored to ensure that site prescription objectives are being met, including assessment of fuel consumption, where appropriate, and that burning operations are carried out in accordance with the burning permit ( Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, s. 76).

In the event of an escape, any resources required over and above the conditions of the burning permit must be approved and confirmed in writing by a Forest Officer daily (Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, s. 77, 88, 89).

References

• Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, s. 45, 50, 76, 77, 78, 81, 88, 89
• Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Regulation, s. 23, 24, 25
• Forest Region Ecosystem Field Guides
• Ministry of Forests Act, s.4(b)
• Protection Manual
• Use of Prescribed Fire for Wildlife Habitat Improvement, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and Ministry of Forests Agreement
• Fire Management Guidebook

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