Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) are community-based, mutual aid networks that help private landowners put prescribed “good fire” back on the land (CalPBA).

Prescribed fire  (also known as "good fire," beneficial fire, and more) is an important practice where the planned application of fire is utilized under certain conditions (a prescription) to help achieve numerous objectives, including fuels reduction for wildfire readiness, supporting native plant species/managing invasive species, wildlife habitat improvement, range improvement, and more. 

The Resource Conservation District of Tehama County (RCDTC) is creating a PBA Coordinator role to offer technical assistance to PBA members (landowners and volunteers) and provide additional personal protective equipment (PPE) and equipment at burns, support planning/preparation for burns, and apply for further grant funding to support the PBA. 

The Tehama PBA can assist landowners/citizens with:

• Pile burning & understory burning, including:
  • Site assessments and assistance in burn plan preparation
  • Burn unit delineation and mapping
  • Assisting with site prep, including use of tools and gear that can be borrowed 
  • Assistance in writing burn plans and smoke management plans
  • Assistance in obtaining CalFire burn permits or Air Quality permits (*if required)
  • Connecting you with neighbors and other community members who can help you do site prep and burn your property!

• Providing hands-on experience and guidance on the following topics:
  • Fuels Reduction
  • Fire Ecology & Behavior
  • Environmental Compliance 
  • Permitting & Liability
  • Linking interested individuals to opportunities for NWCG training opportunities and opportunities to burn with other PBAs
  • Providing live fire demonstrations and experience for students, existing fire practitioners, and anybody who is interested in becoming a student of fire

What the Tehama PBA cannot do is remove a landowner's liability - that responsibility is the landowner's. However, for more complex projects, the PBA can link you with other programs that may address liability issues.  A PBA is not a full-service burn outfit (though we can provide information on contracted services for fuels reduction and prescribed fire).

Through this PBA, the RCDTC aims to empower citizens to take ownership of the management of their lands by providing technical assistance, education, and cultivating a community of fire practitioners who will contribute their knowledge, resources, and manpower to get good fire on the ground.

The controlled application of fire can achieve the specific objectives of:

• Forest Improvement – forests thrive on frequent, low-intensity fires to cut back on overcrowding, removal of accumulated surface fuels, and expose soil for new conifer sprouting.
• Range Improvement – prescribed fires can help contain invasive and unwanted plant species such as starthistle and medusahead; along with removing old vegetation and thatch while recycling nutrients back into the soil which encourages new grass growth.
• Vegetation Management – using fire to fight fire; prescribed fire can be used to clear hazardous fuels and create defensible spaces available for firefighting efforts and the chance to slow and stop the progression of uncontrolled wildfires.
• Wildlife Habitat Improvement – the use of prescribed fire can help to control non-native vegetation and promote new growth of native species that provides important habitat for wildlife.

Indicating your preliminary interest will help the RCDTC apply for grant funding to support PBA coordinators who would provide technical assistance to landowners for burning, plan trainings and educational events, and organize volunteer fire-lighters to support fire adapted communities in Tehama County. Once a PBA Coordinator is brought on staff, they will contact you with more information. 

No prior experience necessary! We encourage everyone to lend a helping hand to learn about good fire, gain experience, and be a good neighbor.

Interested Landowner Form 

Interested Volunteer Form

The CalPBA is an excellent resource for learning about prescribed fire in California and the PBA movement within the state. Their website provides valuable recommendations and resources for planning and operating burns. 

The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (FAC) is a great resource for learning about the role of citizens in developing fire resilient communities. The website includes additional resources, a blog, and a newsletter on current events and topics of discussion regarding prescribed fire.