Wisconsin NRCS supports and encourages the use of prescribed burning on
any lands, where appropriate, to meet specific resource management
objectives. The Prescribed Burning Conservation Practice Standard (338)
in Section IV of the Wisconsin Field Office Technical Guide contains the
information necessary to plan and conduct a prescribed burn. Wisconsin
NRCS encourages the use of non-NRCS resources and third parties to plan
and implement prescribed burns.

**Background**

Increasing interest in planting and managing native grasses and forbs
has led to greater opportunities for using fire to manage, enhance, and
restore pastures, hayland, and native habitats such as prairies,
savannas, barrens, and herbaceous wetlands. The NRCS national policy for
prescribed burning is located in the National Range and Pasture
Handbook. NRCS General Manual, Title 190, Part 413 - Prescribed Burning,
issued in September 2003 established new requirements for NRCS employees
involved in the planning and implementation of prescribed burning. This
supplement reflects Wisconsin's revised policy related to prescribed
burning.

**Role of NRCS in Prescribed Burning**

National policy states that the NRCS State Conservationist is
responsible for providing adequate training for employees involved with
prescribed burning activities. States are to develop job approval
authority criteria and ensure that employees act within their training
and certification levels.

The role of Wisconsin NRCS in prescribed burning is to:

-   inform landowners of the benefits and limitations of prescribed
    burning as a management alternative during conservation planning,
    and

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-   develop or review prescribed burn plans prepared by others with an
    emphasis on "**safety**."

**NRCS Employee Liability**

Employees acting in accordance with all Federal, state, and local laws
and within the scope of their work accept no greater or less liability
than that associated with the performance of any other assigned duty.
Any questions concerning liability should be referred to the State
Administrative Officer.

**Wisconsin Policy**

-   Safety will be the first consideration when planning or implementing
    a prescribed burn.

-   Only trained and qualified personnel with the appropriate job
    approval authority are authorized to provide technical assistance in
    planning or implementing Wisconsin Practice Standard 338, Prescribed
    Burning.

-   When NRCS is involved in making prescribed burning recommendations,
    a detailed burn plan will be prepared in accordance with the
    Prescribed Burning Practice Standard (338).

-   NRCS will prepare or review prescribed burn plans prepared by others
    where the practice is being applied to land enrolled in a USDA
    program that NRCS has been assigned technical oversight or on land
    where a current conservation plan documents the need for prescribed
    burning.

-   Prescribed Fire Practitioners who have been recognized to be
    following an approved burn plan format which meets NRCS policy and
    the 338 Standard may be accepted without review. The prescribed burn
    plan will adhere to all Federal, tribal, state, and local laws and
    the Clean Air Act.

-   The landowner or operator must acknowledge their liability, or be
    informed in writing (send letter by certified mail, return receipt
    requested) of possible liability for damages if the fire escapes,
    smoke damage occurs, accidents caused by poor visibility occur, or
    other damages occur as a result of the prescribed burn. A Wisconsin
    NRCS burn plan or a conservation plan with prescribed fire as a
    component with the associated language signed by the landowner will
    serve as their acceptance of liability.

-   NRCS employees with any level of prescribed burning job approval,
    and their supervisor's permission, may participate in implementing
    prescribed burns only if wearing approved personal safety equipment.
    NRCS employees shall not serve as the burn boss and shall not ignite
    the fire.

-   For training purposes, NRCS employees, with the approval of their
    supervisor, may assist in the planning and implementation of
    prescribed burns with Prescribed Fire Practitioners, i.e., U. S.
    Fish and Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural
    Resources, Pheasants Forever, The Prairie Enthusiasts, The Nature
    Conservancy, etc.

**Job Approval Level**

NRCS employees seeking prescribed burning job approval shall submit an
application (Exhibit B) containing the supporting documentation outlined
below to the State Conservationist or designee for evaluation.

Job approval authority may be granted to employees who have documented
evidence of previous training or experience outside of NRCS that is
equivalent or exceeds NRCS prescribed burning training requirements,
e.g., National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) courses.

A designated resource conservationist will determine an employee's job
approval authority for prescribed burning based on documented training,
experience, and an in-field evaluation. An employee's prescribed burning
job approval records will be maintained in their conservation planning
certification file. A job approval list will be maintained in the NRCS
State and Area Offices and posted on the Wisconsin NRCS website.

Wisconsin has three job approval levels for prescribed burning. They
are:

**Level I** -- Authorized to discuss the benefits and limitations of
prescribed burning as a conservation management tool with the NRCS
client where necessary to address identified resource concerns and to
meet client objectives. The employee is authorized to develop a
Conservation Plan containing prescribed burning.

To receive [Level I]{.underline} job approval authority, an employee
must successfully participate in 16 hours of formal NRCS prescribed
burning training, or its equivalent (National Employee Development
Center \[NEDC\] Prescribed Burning - 000046), or the equivalent (e.g.,
S130/S190, I100; Aldo Leopold Foundation course, Crane Foundation
course). The training shall address fire behavior and ecology, fire
safety, fire effects on wildlife, soils, hydrology, and vegetation
response. The training must include at least one field training burn. To
receive [Level I]{.underline} prescribed burning job approval, the
employee must demonstrate knowledge of prescribed burning including the
benefits, purpose, objectives, and safety considerations. The employee
must also demonstrate good judgment by recognizing potential safety
risks during the planning and implementation of prescribed burning.

To maintain [Level I]{.underline} prescribed burning job approval
authority, four hours of classroom training related to fire behavior,
burn safety, and fire ecology must be taken every three years.

**Level II** -- Authorized to review a prescribed burning plan for Class
II Activity burns (Exhibit A), per Wisconsin Practice Standard 338. The
prescribed burn plan must contain the following as a minimum:

-   location of the burn and fire breaks (include type and size);

-   resource management objectives;

-   safety considerations evaluated during planning of the burn
    (identify roads, buildings, utilities, etc., on air photo);

-   pre-burn evaluation of the vegetation and description of the planned
    burn area;

-   prescription for weather conditions required to conduct the burn;

-   description of the burning methods to be used;

-   description of pre-burn preparation;

-   documentation of any required permits;

-   personal safety equipment requirements and fire control equipment
    that will be at the site or on stand-by during the burn;

-   firing sequence of area to be burned;

-   job assignments and description of responsibilities (safety plan);

-   summary of notifications required prior to ignition of the
    prescribed burn (local fire department, neighbors, local airport,
    etc.);

-   post-burn evaluation/mop-up and management; and

-   written notification to the landowner or operator (or
    acknowledgement by the landowner) of liability if damages occur.

To receive Wisconsin NRCS [Level II]{.underline} Prescribed Burning Job
Approval authority, the employee must meet the requirements for
Wisconsin NRCS [Level I]{.underline} Prescribed Burning Job Approval and
must have successfully demonstrated an understanding of NRCS fire policy
either through the completion of the NRCS policy exam (for those on the
NWCG track) or by completing one of the NEDC prescribed fire training
courses (000046 Prescribed Burning or 000047-Short Grasses or 000048
Shrub/Grass or 000049-Tall Grass or 000161 Savanna). For those on the
NWCG track, S234 (Ignition Operations) is recommended but not required
for Level II. NEDC prescribed burning courses are recommended because
they focus on NRCS policy and vegetation management. However, it is
recognized that appropriate NWCG courses can substitute for NEDC
training and NWCG courses are required to achieve Level III. The
employee must participate in three additional prescribed burns and
review three burn plans under the supervision of an individual with
Wisconsin NRCS [Level II or III]{.underline} Prescribed Burning Job
Approval.

To maintain [Level II]{.underline} Prescribed Burning Job Approval
authority the employee must participate in a prescribed burn and review
an approved burn plan at least twice every two years, repeat four hours
of refresher classroom training at no more than three-year intervals,
and must have demonstrated good judgment, knowledge, and skills related
to planning and participating in prescribed burning.

**Level III** -- Authorized to develop a prescribed burning plan for
Class II or III Activity burns (Exhibit A), per Wisconsin Practice
Standard 338. The employee is authorized to review a prescribed burning
plan for Class III Activity burns, per Wisconsin Practice Standard 338.
The employee is authorized to serve as a burn crewmember with their
supervisor's approval and proper safety equipment.

To obtain Wisconsin NRCS [Level III]{.underline} Prescribed Burning Job
Approval authority, the employee must have: Wisconsin NRCS [Level
II]{.underline} Prescribed Burning Job Approval; successfully completed
Intermediate Fire Behavior (NWGC S290) and Ignition Operations (NWCG
S234) review at least three Class III Activity burn plans under the
supervision of an individual with Wisconsin NRCS [Level III]{.underline}
Prescribed Burning Job Approval (Exhibit A); Develop one Class II plan
and have participated as a burn crewmember on a minimum of six
prescribed burns with various complexities, fuel types, and technical
aspects. In addition, S390 (Introduction to Fire Behavior Calculations)
and RX410 (Smoke Management) are recommended (if locally available) but
not required.

To maintain [Level III]{.underline} Prescribed Burning Job Approval
authority the employee must participate in four prescribed burns and
review at least three Class III burn plans every two years, repeat four
hours of refresher classroom training at no more than two year
intervals, and must have demonstrated good judgment, knowledge, and
skills related to planning and participating in prescribed burning.

The Wisconsin NRCS policy is to encourage third party vendors and
partners to implement prescribed burns. Therefore, only a limited number
of NRCS employees statewide will be trained to this level.

Prescribed burning plans for Class IV Activity burns, or higher, may
only be reviewed by the State Conservationist or designee.

Any NRCS employee who violates NRCS Prescribed Burning Policy will have
their job approval authority revoked immediately. Also, any employee
working outside of their scope of employment or job approval is NOT
acting as an agent of NRCS.

Prescribed burning management plans are valid only for the area planned
and for the burning season planned. If the landowner decides to change
the location of the burn or is unable to burn during the prescribed
timeframe, a new plan must be prepared prior to conducting the burn.

**Note:**

Wisconsin NRCS employees with any level of Prescribed Burning Job
Approval will be authorized to participate in the implementation of a
prescribed burn with their supervisor's approval. Participation in
prescribed burns will typically be approved to address a training need
or where other sources of prescribed burning assistance are limiting and
failure to participate would result in the prescribed burn not being
carried out. All Wisconsin NRCS prescribed burning technical assistance
will be based on addressing a resource need identified in a supporting
conservation plan.

Prescribed fire training opportunities and a listing of contractors are
regularly updated on the Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council website at:
http://www.prescribedfire.org.

**Prescribed Burning**

**Activity Classifications**

**Class I**---Conservation Planning Authority

> Authority to use Wisconsin Practice Standard 338, Prescribed Burning,
> during conservation plan development as an applicable practice for:
>
> 1\) reclamation of areas that have lost their inherent vegetation or
> habitat values, or
>
> 2\) maintenance of vegetation or habitat values in the conservation
> planning process with landowners.

**Class II**---Maintenance Burn

> Size of area\*: Up to 40 acres.
>
> Vegetation: Non-volatile\*\* herbaceous (\<50% switchgrass) and woody
> species, including scattered (\<10% cover) volatile\*\* woody species
> \<4 feet tall.
>
> Terrain: 6% slope or less.
>
> Smoke management risks: No concentrated subdivisions, development,
> airports, and state or interstate highways within 1 mile.

**Class III**---Maintenance Burn

> Size of area\*: Up to 100 acres.
>
> Vegetation: Herbaceous (\>50% switchgrass, unless the stand is \<5
> acres), woody species, including scattered (\<10% cover) volatile\*\*
> woody species \>4 feet tall.
>
> Terrain: 15% slope or less
>
> Smoke management risks: No concentrated subdivisions, development,
> airports, and state or interstate highways within ½ mile.

**Class IV**---Maintenance Burn

> Size of area\*: Up to 200 acres.
>
> Vegetation: Unrestricted.
>
> Terrain: Unrestricted.
>
> Smoke management risks: Unrestricted.

*\* Size of Area: Contiguous acres to be burned on a single management
unit during the same growing season are considered to be one prescribed
burn regardless of the number of individual segments into which the fire
is divided. Total acres for any prescribed burn cannot exceed the Size
of Area limits for the appropriate job classification.*

*\*\* Volatile species for Wisconsin are those that have a chemical
make-up that causes them to be somewhat "explosive" during certain
seasons and include all needle leaf trees (eastern red cedar, red &
white pine, spruce, etc.) and fields containing \>50% switchgrass.*

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 12%" />
<col style="width: 10%" />
<col style="width: 16%" />
<col style="width: 19%" />
<col style="width: 10%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Employee:</td>
<td colspan="3"><strong>     </strong></td>
<td>Location:</td>
<td colspan="3"><strong>     </strong></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="10"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td rowspan="2"><strong>Job Approval</strong></td>
<td colspan="4"><strong>Course Track<br />
</strong><em>(Choose one course track based on your anticipated final
job approval level.)</em></td>
<td rowspan="2"><p><strong>Activity</strong></p>
<p><em>Check if completing activities to obtain job approval.<br />
</em></p></td>
<td rowspan="2"><p><strong>Maintain Job Approval Level</strong></p>
<p><em>Check if completing activities to maintain job approval.<br />
</em></p></td>
<td rowspan="2"><strong>Date of Completion</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" rowspan="2"><p><strong>Approving Authority/</strong></p>
<p><strong>Burn Boss</strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"><strong>NWCG</strong></td>
<td><strong>NEDC</strong></td>
<td><strong>OTHER</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><strong>Level I</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><p>I100/S130/<br />
S190</p>
<p>Intro to ICS/ Basic Training/ Intro to Fire Behavior</p>
<p>Date: <u>     </u></p></td>
<td><p>000046</p>
<p>Prescribed Burning</p>
<p>Date:<u>     </u></p></td>
<td><p>16 Hours Formal Training</p>
<p>Date:<u>     </u></p></td>
<td>Field Training Burn</td>
<td>4 Hours of formal training every 3 years</td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td rowspan="6"><strong>Level II</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" rowspan="6"><p>NRCS Policy Exam</p>
<p>Date: <u>     </u></p>
<p>S234*<br />
Ignition Operations</p>
<p>Date: <u>     </u></p></td>
<td rowspan="6"><p>000047-Short Grass or 000048-Shrub/Grass or
000049-Tall Grass or 000161-Savanna</p>
<p>Date: <u>     </u></p></td>
<td rowspan="6"></td>
<td>1<sup>st</sup> Training Burn</td>
<td>4 Hours Training every 3 years</td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>2<sup>nd</sup> Training Burn</td>
<td>Training Burn every 2 years</td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>3<sup>rd</sup> Training Burn</td>
<td>Training Burn every 2 years</td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>1<sup>st</sup> Review - Class II Plan</td>
<td></td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>2<sup>nd</sup> Review - Class II Plan</td>
<td>Review Class II Plan every 2 yrs</td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>3<sup>rd</sup> Review -Class II Plan</td>
<td>Review Class II Plan every 2 yrs</td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td rowspan="10"><strong>Level III</strong></td>
<td colspan="2" rowspan="10"><p>S290<br />
Intermediate Fire Behavior</p>
<p>Date: <u>     </u></p>
<p>S234<br />
Ignitions</p>
<p>Date: <u>     </u></p>
<p>S390*<br />
Intro to Fire Behavior Calculations</p>
<p>Date: <u>     </u></p>
<p>RX410*<br />
Smoke Mgt.</p>
<p>Date: <u>     </u></p></td>
<td rowspan="10"></td>
<td rowspan="10"></td>
<td>1<sup>st</sup> Training Burn</td>
<td>4 Hours Training every 2 years</td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>2<sup>nd</sup> Training Burn</td>
<td></td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>3<sup>rd</sup> Training Burn</td>
<td>Training Burn every 2 years</td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>4<sup>th</sup> Training Burn</td>
<td>Training Burn every 2 years</td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>5<sup>th</sup> Training Burn</td>
<td>Training Burn every 2 years</td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>6<sup>th</sup> Training Burn</td>
<td>Training Burn every 2 years</td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Develop Class II Plan</td>
<td></td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>1<sup>st</sup> Review Class III Plan</td>
<td>Review Class III Plan</td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>2<sup>nd</sup> Review Class III Plan</td>
<td>Review Class III Plan</td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>3<sup>rd</sup> Review Class III Plan</td>
<td>Review Class III Plan</td>
<td>     </td>
<td colspan="2">     </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

*\*Recommended, but not required.*