This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to develop complex prescribed burn plans for specified burn areas to achieve identified objectives.

A prescribed burn is the controlled application of fire under specified environmental conditions to a predetermined area at a time, intensity and rate of spread required to attain planned resource management objectives. An approved prescribed burn plan includes a map identifying the area to be burned and incorporates the specifications and conditions under which the operation is to be conducted.

Complex prescribed burns are characterised by moderate to high risk, a range of fire intensity, being in medium to large areas, having significant potential impact on assets and involving a variety of fuels and terrain. The burn operation may involve a large number of resources requiring the establishment of a formal management and support structure. It may require several separate ignitions, ground and/or aerial, possibly over several days and it may include a number of high value assets requiring complex protection actions.

The unit is applicable to personnel responsible for developing complex prescribed burn prescriptions.

The fire sector is those sections of government departments, statutory authorities or organisations that have responsibility under jurisdictional arrangements for the delivery of firefighting and fire management services.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Identify burn area and burn objectives

1.1

Areas requiring complex prescribed burn plans are identified, in accordance with organisational and permit procedures and legislative and regulatory requirements

1.2

Burn objectives are identified and consultation process is undertaken, in accordance with organisational procedures

1.3

Target consultation groups are identified, and consultation process is initiated, in accordance with organisational procedures

1.4

Legislative and regulatory requirements are identified and complied with throughout planning process

2

Prepare prescribed burnplan for a complex burn

2.1

Key features of burn area are identified including variations in terrain, fuel types and quantities, control lines and weather

2.2

Risks from the proposed burn, both on and off site, are assessed and considered in planning process including operational hazards, safety of people, protection of property, assets, environmental and ecological risks

2.3

Results of consultation are factored into the planning process, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.4

Fire behaviour to meet burn objectives and to account for variations in fuel, terrain and weather is determined

2.5

Burn ignition strategies and tactics suited to location that provide required fire behaviour and intensity are determined, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.6

Lighting techniques and patterns for both ground based and aerial ignition for specific burn are identified

2.7

Strategies for mitigating hazards and risks are identified and preparatory works are implemented

2.8

Strategies and tactics for controlling prescribed burn are identified

2.9

Type and quantity of resources required are identified

2.10

Conditions for implementation of burn ignition strategies and tactics are specified, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.11

Prescribed burn plan is prepared, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.12

Contingencies are outlined in prescribed burn plan

3

Gain prescribed burn planapproval

3.1

Prescribed burn plan is submitted for approval, in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements

3.2

Modifications and amendments to prescribed burn plan are made, based on feedback received

3.3

Prescribed burn plan approval is gained

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

complex prescribed burn plans must include

approved plan for conduct of prescribed burning

map identifying area to be burned

specifications and conditions under which operation is to be conducted

burn objectives must include one or more of the following

asset, biodiversity and community protection

habitat management

hazard reduction

management of cultural sites and activities

protection of fire sensitive ecological communities

vegetation management

target consultation groups must include one or more of the following

adjacent land owners or managers

commercial operations within impact zone

community groups with specific interests

government organisations including local, state and federal

other groups and people within the prescribing organisation

people that may be affected by burn

burn ignition strategies and tactics must include

contingency planning

fire behaviour to be achieved

ignition methods, sequencing and timing of ignition

lighting techniques for ground and aerial ignition must include

aerial drip torch

aerial incendiaries

hand held and vehicle mounted propelled incendiaries

wind and/or waterproof matches

lighting patterns must include one or more of the following

contour lighting

echelon

grid

line

multi-line

spot

operational hazards must include two or more of the following

adjoining land use and proximity to urban areas

adverse terrain or weather conditions

crew size

falling trees and limbs

hazardous materials

high fuel loads

ignition method

plant

powerlines

road traffic

vegetation type

safety of people must include two or more of the following

impact of smoke on vulnerable communities near the burn area

safety of any people permanently or temporarily in burn area

safety of people involved with burn implementation

safety of people on areas adjacent to burn area

property and assets must include two or more of the following

any of the following that are in or near the burn area

camps or recreational areas

commercial land use such as crops or industry

cultural sites or historical buildings

other property and assets

plantations

research plots and reference areas

stock

urban areas

utilities - power and telephone lines, water supply structures and communications towers

environmental and ecological risks must include

impact of native flora and fauna including rare and endangered species

impact of smoke

impact of soil

impact of use of chemical fire suppressants

impact on water quality or supply

resources required must include one or more of the following

aircraft and crews including incendiary operations supervisors and machine operators for aerial ignition

aircraft ground support

control line standards

crews and supervisors for ground ignition, control and patrol work

equipment and supplies including fuel and incendiaries

planning and logistical support

pre-burn work schedule

tankers, other ignition and suppression vehicles, equipment and fuel

Fire

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