Prescribed fire, or controlled burning, is a tool used for good land stewardship. For more than 150 years, fires have been suppressed, forests have grown dense, and fuel has built up. As a result, wildfires are more intense and often damaging. Nevada County RCD is committed to helping residents safely put “good fire” back on the land to improve defensible space, clean up forest debris and restore forest and soil health.
NCRCD is offering the following prescribed burn workshops, free of cost to the community. Registration is required and location details will be provided to those who sign up. For questions about the RCD’s course offerings or additional support with prescribed burning, please contact Joaquin Pastrana, Prescribed Fire Program Manager at 530-263-9490 or joaquin.pastrana@ncrcd.org.
INTRODUCTION TO BURN PLAN WRITING WORKSHOP
This workshop will help guide participants through the essential elements of creating simple yet effective burn plans to reduce fire hazard and improve land health. Learn about everything needed to have a safe and successful burn plan that meets CAL FIRE permitting requirements, using the CAL FIRE burn plan template. Including developing burn unit objectives, identify ways to protect important features in and near the burn area (like homes, water systems). Describe the weather, or a weather prescription, to achieve the desired results. Figure out how many people and how much water is needed to burn safely. Learn how to describe what is needed for the basic steps involved including: firing, holding, contingency and essential notifications (i.e. neighbors, fire district)
Date: Wednesday, April 17th
Time: 6PM – 8PM
Location: Nevada County, to be announced
Cost: Free
Date: Wednesday, May 8th
Time: 6 PM – 8 PM
Location: Nevada County, to be announced
Cost: Free
TOOLS OF THE TRADE WORKSHOP
An introduction to various tools, safe use, and their maintenance. Includes hand tools, water equipment, ignition tools, and communication equipment commonly found on prescribed burn and the best uses for each tool. Safety training on the use, transportation, storage, and maintenance of hand tools. Walkthroughs of how to use, assemble and disassemble ignition and water equipment. Demonstrations on how to sharpen and clean hand tools.
Date: Friday, April 19th
Time: 6 PM – 8 PM
Location: Nevada County, to be announced
Cost: Free
CONDUCT A BURN WORKSHOP
Visit a prepped burn unit or an actual prescribed burn in progress to learn what do before, during, and after a burn. Before: setting up water, getting the help you need, gathering permits, setting up logistics for volunteers and notifying neighbors. During: giving a briefing, test burn, the different roles people play on a prescribed burn, smoke management, and the firing process. We will also discuss the steps taken after a prescribed burn is complete including mop-up, monitoring, evaluation, and maintenance.
Date: Saturday, April 27th
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: Nevada County, to be announced
Cost: Free