Community residents and Cuba Fire Volunteers wishing to conduct controlled pile and broadcast (field) burns are strongly encouraged to complete the Certified Burn Manager Program with New Mexico State Forestry. The online course is FREE, self-paced (about 4-5 hours), and open year-round to all. Read more about the new certification program for landowners.
WHY:
The Prescribed Burning Act (NMSA 1978, Section 68-5-1) did the following:
Established a negligence standard for prescribed burning on private lands in New Mexico. Specifically, the Act states a landowner or their agent that is a “certified prescribed burn manager” is liable for damages or injury caused by their burn (including re-ignition) if found “negligent” in a civil court. Further, the Act, referring to an 1882 statute, states a landowner or their agent that is NOT a “certified prescribed burn manager” is liable for DOUBLE damages in the case of damage or injury caused by their burn (including re-ignition) if found “negligent” in a civil court.
NOTE: Certification is not required to conduct a prescribed burn in New Mexico. However, burning without certification leaves landowners (or their agent) exposed to double damages (with a finding of negligence in a civil court) in the event an escaped burn causes damage or injury.
WHAT:
The Pile Burn training course is comprised of eight elements as listed below.
- 1 – Legal Requirements
- 2 – Safety
- 3 – Burn Plan
- 4 – Public Relations
- 5 – Fire Behavior
- 6 – Fire Weather
- 7 – Smoke Management
- 8 – Pile Burn Techniques
The Broadcast Burn training course is comprised of eight elements as listed below.
- 1 – Legal Requirements
- 2 – Safety
- 3 – Burn Plan
- 4 – Public Relations
- 5 – Fire Behavior
- 6 – Fire Weather
- 7 – Smoke Management
- 8 – Broadcast Burn Techniques
HOW:
- Create a Student account at Canvas. You will need to register using an email address.
- Enter Join Code LAY4LR for the Pile Burning course -OR- Join Code G9KN6X for the Broadcast Burning course.
- Begin your course and work through each module to complete at your own pace. There will be graded quizzes to test your knowledge.
MORE INFORMATION:
See more about Prescribed Burning resources from New Mexico State Forestry.
Contact Cuba Fire Wildland Coordinator Ben Yeargin by email or call 321.626.6475.