NEVADA PRESCRIBED BURN POLICY Each state must have a job approval authority process approved by the national office. Any employee wanting to participate in the planning and application of prescribed burning must be certified as having attained adequate job approval authority. Levels of certification are defined in the attached Job Classification and Job Approval Authority for Prescribed Burning. Employees desiring prescribed burning certification should make a request through their supervisor to the State Resource Conservationist (henceforth referred to as the SRC) or their designee. The SRC will issue the determination that is within their job approval authority. Each employee is responsible for certifying and requesting the training needed to upgrade their certification. The original Job Approval Authority for Prescribed Burning shall be kept by the employee, with a copy on file with the employee’s supervisor and with the SRC. For employees to be considered acting within the scope of their duties, refer to their job classification description. TRAINING, CERTIFICATION, AUTHORITY and SAFETY Training Nevada NRCS employees involved in any aspect of prescribed burns shall complete an NRCS training course (16 hours) in prescribed burning. This training must include: fire ecology and behavior, fire safety, and smoke management. This training should also include, as appropriate, fire effects on wildlife, soils, hydrology, and vegetation response. Training required to discuss and plan prescribed burning: ¾ NRCS Prescribed Burning (16 hours) Training required to develop a prescribed burning plan is: ¾ NRCS Prescribed Burning (16 hours) ¾ NRCS-NEDC Prescribed Burning course or equivalent from another source (NDF, BLM, FS, F&WS, etc.) Employees shall provide written documentation of training to the SRC to determine the adequacy of training. The documentation will be completed using form NV-ECS-50. Job approval authority procedures have been established for NRCS employees in Nevada. The SRC shall certify training and job approval authority for employees involved in the planning and application of prescribed burns following a concurrence from the employee’s supervisor. All prescribed burns will follow the authorities set forth in the Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) NRS 527.122-128 policy, which includes NDF signing off on the prescribed burn plan. The SRC will review experience and training of personnel to determine their level of expertise. Direct supervisors will concur in and sign job approval authority forms and submit them to the SRC for certification. Job approval authority will be documented on Nevada NV-ECS-51. SRC will review, approve, and maintain copies of all documentation for employees. (190-GM, NV Supplement, October 2007) 10/16/2007 1 Safety Safety is the first consideration in prescribed burning. Landowners or cooperators must be informed in writing that they may be liable for damages if the fire escapes or smoke damage occurs. If unfavorable atmospheric, fuel, or logistical situations exist, NRCS employees must advise the fire boss or landowner to postpone the burn. NRCS employees are required to inform the landowner and/or the fire boss of any unsafe situations or act as soon as it is apparent. If an emergency situation develops, NRCS employees are to follow the direction of the designated fire boss and act responsibly to resolve the situation. Prescribed burning safety requirements for all NRCS employees or persons supervised by NRCS employees will adhere to the following for prescribed burns: 1. Clothing requirements – each NRCS person present during a prescribed burn will wear clothing that conforms to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) fire line safety standards. 2. All vehicles will be equipped with shovel, flashlight and batteries, canteen or other water bag, fire extinguisher, and first aid kit. 3. Each person present during a prescribed burn will attend a pre-burn meeting outlining the responsibilities of each person. 4. NRCS employees or persons supervised by NRCS employees will not drop the match or otherwise light the fire except in properly scheduled training sessions. 5. No employee, at any time, shall be left without reasonable access to a vehicle or shall ride on the exterior of any vehicle without proper safety harness or rails. 6. There shall be adequate communications equipment available on the burn site. 7. A designated safe area will be identified prior to ignition of the fire. 8. The landowner or their designee must be on-site throughout the prescribed burn. NRCS personnel will not serve as the landowner’s designee. 9. In cases where the fire boss or landowner is unwilling to apply the prescribed burn following the burning prescription, NRCS employees will discontinue providing on-the-ground assistance, document the fire boss or landowner’s decision, and leave the area immediately, and notify the appropriate authority of the possibility of unsafe actions. Planning Prescribed Burns All prescribed burns that NRCS is involved in, must be done in accordance with the NRCS Prescribed Burning standard and specifications (338) in Section IV, FOTG. All burn management plans will be reviewed and approved by an NRCS employee who has job approval authority for the burn class planned. Until an employee has demonstrated sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities as determined by a certified trainer, that employee must have all burn plans reviewed and approved by someone with the proper authorization. This approval may be made by a NRCS employee who has job approval authority that is equal to or greater than the class of burn under consideration, or by an equivalently trained person from the NDF. Job approval authority will be issued by the SRC based upon concurrence of the employee’s direct supervisor. Copies of job approval authorities and supporting prescribed burning experience will be filed in the SRC office, as well as in the employee's personnel file. SRC will review, approve, and maintain copies of documentation of job approval authority for all employees. (190-GM, NV Supplement, October 2007) 10/16/2007 2 Each employee will be certified by job class. The controlling factors of area size, vegetation, and terrain will determine job class. The most limiting factor will determine which class of job approval authority is issued. Job approval authority will be issued on NV-ECS-51. Properly planned burns may include plans developed during a prescribed burning training course, as an active participant in a group planning an actual burn, or as an individual planning a burn. Any NRCS employee who violates NRCS Prescribed Burning policy will have their job approval authority revoked immediately and be subject to official reprimand. Job approval authority may be granted to employees who have documented evidence of previous training or experience that equal or exceeds NRCS prescribed burning training requirements. NRCS occasionally hires an employee with extensive training experience and education in prescribed burning Prescribed burn 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 time frame, a new plan must be prepared prior to conducting the burn. Separate prescribed burning plans must be developed for each identifiable prescribed burn area. Technical Application Assistance For the purpose of providing training and technical assistance to landowners/managers and other NRCS employees, properly trained and certified personnel may participate in the following activities in Nevada: development of the prescribed burning plan; assist the fire boss in determining if field and weather conditions are in compliance with the plan at the time of ignition; and, make recommendations to the fire boss or other team leaders on necessary adjustments to the plan prior to ignition to ensure the fire will meet planned objectives and that all participants are safe. NRCS employees in Nevada shall not serve as the fire boss, drop the match or otherwise initiate lighting the fire, except in properly scheduled training sessions. NRCS employees may not carry the drip torch and/or any type of ignition equipment for the purpose of igniting a prescribed burn, except during a properly scheduled training session. NRCS employees or NRCS supervised employees may attend prescribed burns for purposes of training or observation even if they have not had the basic prescribed burning training. Their participation will be restricted to activities such as collecting weather data, note keeping, etc. The fire boss will thoroughly review the prescribed burning plan with the fire crew immediately prior to the burn. Employee Liability Employees acting within the scope of their work accept a liability no greater or less than that associated with other practices. The scope of the work is clearly established in the National Range and Pasture Handbook and the state standards and specifications for the practice of Prescribed Burning. Any questions concerning employee liability should be directed to the SRC as soon as the question arises. Employees operating outside of their scope of work face immediate disciplinary action and possible criminal liability. (190-GM, NV Supplement, October 2007) 10/16/2007 3 Quality Control Burns planned with NRCS assistance must adhere to all Federal, State, and Local laws, and Tribal requirements, if applicable, regarding outdoor burning, fire control, smoke management, and air quality. Adherence to the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401- 7671q) is required for all prescribed burns. Landowners are responsible for obtaining all permits and clearances required by law. The Nevada NRCS SRC will review a percentage of prescribed burning plans before the burns are carried out to ensure quality control. Prescribed burning plans and activities will also be reviewed during program and functional appraisals. If an employee believes that the prescribed burn plan is not being followed or that no burn permit is present, the employee is required to remove himself/herself from the prescribed burn area. Documentation of the conditions must be completed and notification made to the fire boss that the NRCS employee(s) is removing himself/herself and the reason why. Employee(s) must also notify the appropriate agency with jurisdiction and the employee’s supervisor. (190-GM, NV Supplement, October 2007) 10/16/2007 4 PRESCRIBED BURNING Job Classifications CLASS I — Conservation Planning ¾ Allows for Prescribed Burning (338) practice to be discussed and scheduled in a conservation plan (contract etc.). ¾ Individuals must have attended the NRCS classroom training course (16 hours) or its equivalent. CLASS II - Maintenance Burn ¾ Size of Area*: Less than 100 acres ¾ Vegetation: low volatile fuels ¾ Terrain: 15% slopes or less ¾ Individuals must have Class I authority, must have properly planned and assisted in conducting at least three Class II burns which have been approved and must have demonstrated good judgment, knowledge, and skills for Class I burns, and completed all required training. CLASS III - Maintenance Burn ¾ Size of Area: Less than 640 acres ¾ Vegetation: low volatile fuels ¾ Terrain: 15% slopes or less ¾ Individual must have Class III approval authority, must have properly planned and assisted in conducting at least three Class IV burns which have been approved and must have demonstrated good judgment, knowledge, and skills for Class IV burns, and completed all required training. CLASS IV - Maintenance Burn ¾ Size of Area: Less than 100 acres ¾ Vegetation: <4’ tall high volatile fuels. ¾ Terrain: 25% slopes or less ¾ Individuals must have Class II authority, must have properly planned and assisted in conducting at least three Class III burns which have been approved and must have demonstrated good judgment, knowledge, and skills for Class III burns, and completed all required training. CLASS V - Maintenance Burn ¾ Size of Area: Less than 640 acres ¾ Vegetation: <4’ tall high volatile fuels. ¾ Terrain: 25% slopes or less ¾ Individual must have Class IV approval authority, must have properly planned and assisted in conducting at least three Class V burns which have been approved and must have demonstrated good judgment, knowledge, and skills for Class V burns, and completed all required training. *Size of Area: 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 segments the fire is divided into. Total acres for any prescribed burn cannot exceed the Size of Area limits for the appropriate job class. (190-GM, NV Supplement, October 2007) 10/16/2007 5 USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service NV-ECS-50 Prescribed Burning Experience Documentation Employee: Location: Employee will have participated in a burn at least once every three years in the category that certification is sought. Re-certification will consist of documented experience in proper burn category and concurrence of the Approving Officials. Use the space below to record employee experience and the type of burn where help was provided. Original copy of this form(s) is to be filed with the State Resource Conservationist for certification documentation. Date Location Activity Acres Slope Fuel Kind, Amount and/or Density Comments Other Documentation, Remarks and Comments: Employee’s Signature: Date: State Resource Conservationist’s Comments: Date: State Resource Conservationist’s Signature: Date: (190-GM, NV Supplement, October 2007) 10/16/2007 6 USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service NV-ECS-51 Prescribed Burning Job Approval Authority Documentation Employee: Location: Expiration Date: Certification Level Classification Level Attained Class I: Conservation Planning – Allows for Prescribed Burning (338) practice to be scheduled in a conservation plan (contract, etc.). Attendance at the NRCS classroom training course, 16 hours, or its equivalent as approved by the State Conservationist is required. Class II: Size of Area – less than 100 acres; Vegetation – low volatile fuels; Terrain – 15% slope or less Class III: Size of Area – less than 640 acres; Vegetation – low volatile fuels; Terrain – 15% slopes or less Class IV: Size of Area – less than 100 acres; Vegetation – less than 4 foot tall high volatile fuels; Terrain – 25% slopes or less Class V: Size of Area – less than 640 acres; Vegetation – less than 4 foot tall high volatile fuels; Terrain – 25% slopes or less Class VI: * Size of Area – 640 acres or more; Vegetation – low volatile fuels; Terrain – less than 25% slope Class VII: * Size of Area – no restrictions; Vegetation – no restrictions; Terrain – no restrictions * Burns of this certification level may only be planned by NDF, BLM, or USDA-FS employees. By signing below, we concur with the findings that this employee meets the criteria to become a Certified Prescribed Burning Specialist. Supervisor: Date: State Range Management Specialist: Date: State Resource Conservationist: Date: (190-GM, NV Supplement, October 2007) 10/16/2007 7 USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service NV-ECS-52 BURN CHECKLIST GO or NO GO QUESTIONNAIRE QUESTION YES NO 1 Is burn plan completed and approved? 2 Are all fire prescription specifications met? 3 Are all smoke management prescription specifications met? 4 Is the current and projected fire weather forecast favorable? 5 Have all air quality considerations and smoke requirements been met? 6 Are all personnel required in the prescribed burn plan on site? 7 Have all personnel been briefed on the prescribed burn plan requirements? 8 Have all personnel been briefed on safety hazards, escape routes, and safety zones? 9 Is all of the required equipment in place and in working order? 10 Are available, including backup, resources adequate for containment of escapes under worst-case conditions? 11 Are answers to all the above questions YES? 12 In your opinion, can the burn be carried out according to plan and will it meet the planning objective? 13 Is there an adequate contingency plan developed? If all thirteen questions have been answered “YES,” you may proceed with ignition. (190-GM, NV Supplement, October 2007) 10/16/2007 8