Prescribed Fire - A Photo Feature

Starting the Prescribed Burn

Prescribed burns in the southern United States begin by dripping accelerant and fire from a backfire torch which burns off of a plowed firebreak. This firebreak (approximately 8' wide) forms the initial barrier keeping fire contained only to the area of the burn. The prescriptionist tries to increase the black or burned zone to a point where a fire can't jump back across the line - not always an easy task. 

      
The Torchman  

I was the youngest man in the crew, therefore I volunteered to drip fire. Fire crew ages ranged from 53 years to 73 years (scary). We had a man for every 10 to 15 acres of active burn, never burning more than about 50 to 60 acres at one time.

      
The Burn

 

Next Photos>>>  The Prescribed Burn Objective