AgriLife Extension to host prescribed burn school July 22-24 in San Angelo
Upon successful completion, participants eligible for state certification
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a prescribed burn school July 22-24 in San Angelo.
The school takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo, 7887 U.S. Highway 87 N., San Angelo.
The cost is $200 for those participating in all three days. For individuals planning to attend the field day and complete the exam only, cost is $100. Lunch is provided each day, and registration is required at https://tx.ag/BurnSchool.
The school follows the Texas Department of Agriculture Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager curriculum. After successful completion of the course and accompanying exam, participants are eligible to apply to become a Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager with the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Course includes classroom and field-based activities
The course instructor is Morgan Treadwell, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension range specialist, San Angelo, and associate professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management.
Treadwell said the materials will cover fire behavior, how to employ the correct ignition and burning techniques, as well as equipment and safety.
“Fire is a critical component of grassland and savanna systems threatened by woody plant encroachment,” Treadwell said. “This course will provide participants with the in-depth knowledge and skills needed to safely and effectively understand and utilize this process on the landscape.”
Based on the weather forecast, one day of the course will be dedicated to field-based activities.
“During the field portion, participants will experience all roles on a prescribed fire — from ignitions to suppression with equipment,” Treadwell said. “Everything is hands-on, and participants can tailor their experience to enhance their overall confidence and comfort with prescribed fire.”
Following completion of the program, participants will be able to:
- Explain the history of fire as an ecological tool.
- Evaluate fuels present across many environments according to their defining characteristics.
- Describe fire behavior according to physical and chemical principles.
- Prepare for weather conditions as they relate to burning.
- Discuss the impact topographic influences have on fire behavior.
- Analyze the effect that fire has on plant communities and wildlife habitat
- Plan a prescribed burn.
- Identify proper burning equipment and safety techniques.
- Employ proper firing technique according to the prescribed burn goals and objectives.
- Mitigate smoke impacts.
- Understand laws and regulations regarding prescribed burning
- Evaluate potential burn sites.
For more information, contact Casey Matzke, AgriLife Extension program manager, Bryan-College Station, at [email protected].
