Conduct Prescribed Burning

PUAFIR407B – Conduct prescribed burning

CERTIFICATE IV

Overview

The purpose of this learner resource is to provide an individual with the knowledge and skills to:

·         identify the preparations required to undertake prescribed burning

·         explain agency policy and procedures for prescribed burning

·         plan a simple prescribed burn in the local area

·         conduct a simple prescribed burn

·         identify and conduct relevant post-burn activities.

Target

audience

The target audience for this training are individuals who are experienced in wildfire suppression and are required by their agency to become proficient in conducting a prescribed burn.

Nominal

duration

40 hours

Relationship to PUA units

This document is part of the support materials for the unit of competency, PUAFIR407B Conduct Prescribed Burning. PUAFIR407B is an elective unit in Certificate IV in Public Safety (Firefighting Supervision).

Course
content

This learner resource is divided into five sections.

·         Section 1 discusses the policy framework within which most prescribed burning is undertaken, including statutory requirements that must be observed.

·         Section 2 discusses fire behaviour appropriate for different types of prescribed burning, and the fuel and weather parameters that will provide it. This section also discusses the impact of lighting technique and lighting pattern on fire behaviour, and the options that can be considered.

·         Section 3 discusses the planning of a prescribed burn, in terms of objectives, fuel and weather appraisals, burning prescriptions, resource requirements and notifications.

·         Section 4 discusses the conduct of a simple prescribed burn, emphasising preparations and resource management.

·         Section 5 discusses the assessment and reporting of burn outcomes, the reporting requirements where the burn plan has required significant variation, and the need to plan for and execute restoration and rehabilitation works.

Learning objectives

On the completion of PUAFIR407B, participants will be able to:

Section 1

·         detail agency policy and procedures for conducting a prescribed burn

·         list all the preparations required to undertake a prescribed burn including seasonal and legal restrictions

·         identify the common authorisations required for a prescribed burn.

Section 2

·         explain how fire behaviour differs in low intensity and high intensity burns

·         identify appropriate fuel and weather conditions for low intensity burns

·         identify available and appropriate ignition techniques and patterns

·         identify the procedures for minimising the risk of escape fires

·         outline appropriate perimeter controls for prescribed burns.

Section 3

·         identify all planning requirements necessary to ensure that clear objectives and operational detail are identified to ensure a safe, effective prescribed burn

·         develop contingency plan/s for the prescribed burn.

Section 4

·         implement all of the necessary planning requirements to conduct a prescribed burn

·         conduct a prescribed burn and undertake the following activities:

-            brief all personnel prior to the prescribed burn

-            allocate tasks to personnel

-            monitor conditions before and during the burn

-            secure the burn area following the main conduct of the burn.

Section 5

·         assess whether the burn has achieved the identified objectives

·         establish and apply a post-burn monitoring process to assess whether further action is required

·         identify any variations to the planned conduct of the prescribed burn

·         report on the outcomes of the prescribed burn

·         restore and rehabilitate the affected area in accordance with agency requirements.