Prescribed Burn

The planned and controlled application of fire to the land under specified conditions, to reduce vegetation and risk from wildfire. As a land management tool, prescribed fire is an efficient and cost-effective way to reduce fuels where physical and social conditions are conducive to its use.

COMMITTEE PURPOSE

Prescribed Burn Advisory Committee provides technical expertise to the CCRCD, makes recommendations for action to the CCRCD Board of Directors, and provides a public forum for discussion of technical issues that impact the CCRCD’s role and responsibilities related to the CCRCD’s Prescribed Burn Program.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

• Mike Dvorak: CCRCD Board Member - confirmed
• Wendy Harrison: Head of local CA Naturalist Program, retired State Park Interpreter – confirmed
• Dennis Burns: Contract Fire Behavior Analyst, retired Forest Service – confirmed
• Additional positions pending.

The CCRCD board voted to approve the formation of a Prescribed Fire Ad Hoc Committee at the March 2024 board meeting.

The ad hoc committee is to present a feasibility study for the CCRCD becoming active practitioners of prescribed fire in our community at the May 2024 meeting containing:

• Overview of prescribed fire - benefits and conservation objectives
• Mother Lode Prescribed Burn Association history
• Other RCDs doing prescribed fire (e.g. Placer RCD)
• Liability concerns
• Burning season
• Required equipment
• Training
• Funding opportunities

The Prescribed Fire Ad Hoc Committee contains the following members:

• Mike Dvorak (chair/board member)
• Julia Marsili (board president)
• John Osbourn (board member)
• Ben Cook (associate director)
• Trina Walley (executive director)
• Claire Rappaport (community member)

Please reach out to Mike Dvorak if you have any input on making more prescribed/good fire a reality in Calaveras County.