Prescribed Burning
Hazard Reduction
Supports safe, controlled burns to reduce wildfire risk. Involves prep, ignition, containment, and working under fire professionals in field settings.
Experience/Training Req.
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
SEASONALITY
High
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This role draws people who want action and trust. You’re handling fire directly, not waiting on the sidelines. Every move counts, and crews are tightly coordinated. Workers gain credibility fast, and it’s a respected stepping stone into wildfire suppression or burn boss leadership. It’s high-adrenaline, high-focus work with a powerful ecological impact.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
There’s no such thing as a “typical” day when you’re on a prescribed burn crew—but that’s part of what makes it exciting. When a burn is scheduled, the day starts early. You’ll check fire weather forecasts, walk the perimeter of the burn site with your team, and review ignition patterns, escape routes, and contingency plans. Once everything lines up—wind direction, humidity, and temperature—it’s go time. You might be lighting fire with a drip torch, holding a line with a hose, or scanning for spot fires with a Pulaski in hand. Everyone on the crew has a role, and communication is tight. It’s high-trust, high-focus work. At the end of the day, there’s usually a deep sense of pride. You’ve used fire as a tool—not a threat—to improve ecosystem health and reduce future wildfire risk.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Most of your time will be spent outdoors, moving through forests, grasslands, or cutblocks, depending on the burn site. You’ll learn to read wind, weather, and terrain in real time—skills that become second nature over time. Burn days can be long, and the work requires focus, physical stamina, and comfort with smoke, heat, and heavy gear. But it’s also immersive. You’re surrounded by landscape, wildlife, and the elements, and every day in the field sharpens your awareness of how ecosystems behave. You’ll build endurance and technical field skills, but you’ll also gain a kind of field intuition—knowing when a wind shift is coming or how a fire will move across a slope. It’s demanding, but you’re learning constantly, and every successful burn feels earned.
CYCLICAL NATURE OF ROLE
Prescribed burns are highly seasonal and weather-dependent. Burn windows usually open in early spring and late fall—when temperatures are cool and humidity is higher. Work can be stop-start: a crew might wait days or weeks for the right conditions. Many burn workers also do fuels mitigation, thinning, or suppression outside the burn season to stay employed year-round.
REQUIRED EDUCATION & TRAINING
Most crews will offer burn-specific training on-site, including escape plans, torch handling, and scenario rehearsals. However, basic wildfire knowledge is expected before you show up. Many crews operate with a low tolerance for risk, so your readiness and safety awareness are non-negotiable. No formal degree is required, but you’ll need relevant certifications:
S-100/S-185: Basic fire suppression and safety
First Aid (Level 1 or higher)
Some employers prefer ICS-100 (Incident Command System)
Fire ignition certifications or experience as a firefighter are highly valued
REQUIRED SOFT SKILLS
Strong communication, calm under pressure, and situational awareness are critical. You’ll need to listen closely, speak up clearly, and stay focused in unpredictable situations. A good burn crew member can follow orders precisely—but also recognize when something’s off and call it out. Emotional steadiness, team trust, and clarity under stress are what separate good from great in this role.
REQUIRED HARD SKILLS
While some on-the-job training is available, you’ll usually need wildfire basics (S-100/S-185 in BC) before you’re allowed on a burn. Additional assets include:
Drip torch operation
Fire behavior prediction and reading topography
Radio communication protocols
Chainsaw or hand tool use
Knowledge of ignition patterns (e.g. strip head fire, flanking fire)
ON THE JOB LEARNING
Fire behavior observation and prediction
Safety protocol enforcement and crew coordination
Weather interpretation and timing
Leadership under pressure
Risk assessment and tactical planning
Deep understanding of fire ecology and land management
FUTURE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Prescribed burning opens doors to fire operations, wildfire suppression leadership, ecosystem restoration, and even fire ecology research. With experience, you can move into roles like Burn Boss, Fire Technician, or Prescribed Fire Planner. You might also work in community fire preparedness or join land management teams that specialize in ecological burns.