Prescribed fire (both pile burning and broadcast burning) is an essential tool used to manage wildfire risks and restore forest health. Placer RCD is dedicated to returning fire to the landscape through education, collaboration, and action. Through strong partnerships with local Tribes, land stewards, and federal, state, and local agencies, we are building a community foundation for the continued application of safe, legal, and ecologically beneficial prescribed burns.
One of the primary goals of the RCD Prescribed Fire Program is to support landowners in using low-complexity prescribed fire to manage vegetation on their properties through workshops, technical assistance, and education. Ultimately, encouraging and equipping private landowners with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to implement low-complexity prescribed fire on their properties will improve community wildfire resilience, promote ecosystem health, and capitalize on narrow weather windows.
“Our mission is to burn one million acres in California by training one million landowners to burn one acre.“
Join the Placer Prescribed Burn Association
To stay up to date on upcoming workshops and training opportunities, join the Placer Prescribed Burn Association (Placer PBA) email listserv! To join the listserv, send an email request to Will Tupen at will@placerrcd.org. You’ll be notified when training burns and educational events are scheduled and stay updated on all things prescribed fire both locally and state-wide.
Landowner Resources Provided through the Prescribed Burn Program:
Landowners in Placer County are welcome to receive the following:
Technical assistance to discuss burn unit preparation, hazard mitigation, permitting processes, and management goals.
Rx Fire 101 Workshops are designed to teach community members and landowners the basics of prescribed burning including native plant responses to fire, unit prep and hazard mitigation, liability, permitting, and safe implementation.
Demonstration burns, organized by the PBA, are great opportunities for landowners to gain on-the-ground experience and are paired with all of the workshops.
Rx Fire Field Guide: This field guide was created in collaboration with our local CAL FIRE Unit to introduce landowners and community members to low-complexity prescribed fire. It is filled with great information to guide landowners through safe, legal, and ecologically beneficial prescribed fire.
Additional Resources: Check out the Rx Fire Field Guide informational videos on liability and permitting, as well as the Placer County Burn Plan Template to start thinking about your prescribed burn.
Additional Educational Opportunies: Includes virtual workshops, land management skills (e.g. chainsaw training) and advanced fire behavior courses.
Agriculture
Climate
Forest Health
Wildfire