Ashland, Oregon – Private landowners and public land managers are increasingly using prescribed fire to
improve the health of their land and protect their communities from wildfires.
Prescribed understory burning is the most cost-effective way to maintain the benefits of restorative thinning and fuel reduction
treatments over time—and brings ecological benefits to our dry forest ecosystems, which developed
with frequent lightning fires and Indigenous Peoples’ burning practices over millennia.
This spring, a diverse array of prescribed fire training across the Rogue Valley will offer opportunities
for participants of all experience levels. “The Rogue Valley has a critical need to apply prescribed fire to
the landscape,” said Chris Adlam, Regional Fire Specialist with Oregon State University. “With short burn
windows and substantial demand, it’s imperative that we work together to train our communities to
apply fire effectively.”
Nonprofits and community organizations are working with state and federal agencies to provide training
opportunities for landowners, individuals, tribal members, and fire professionals on prescribed burns at
numerous locations through May.
Oregon State University Extension Fire Program will kick off the regional effort with training in
prescribed burn planning and leadership in the Oregon Department of Forestry’s new Certified Burn
Manager program on April 1-3rd, 2024.
OSU and regional partners will host the IGNITE Prescribed Fire Skills training and orientation on April 6
and 7, 2024. IGNITE is open to participants interested in gaining prescribed fire skills and basic
qualifications over two days of hands-on workshops, lectures, and facilitated discussions. No live fire is
planned for the IGNITE training.
The Rogue Basin Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (RBTREX) will conduct hands-on training during
prescribed burns managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.
The Rogue Valley Prescribed Burn Association (RVPBA) will provide similar training on private lands
demonstrating a community-based approach to pooling resources and skills.
Both groups’ events provide training towards federal and state firefighter qualifications.
“Partners have assembled multiple opportunities for diverse fire practitioners from around the region to
advance their skills and certifications through hands-on training during prescribed burns.
The inclusive and accessible training opportunities will increase local capacity for prescribed fire across private,
municipal, and public lands.” shared Dan Quinones, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Acting Forest.
Supervisor.
Applications for OSU’s IGNITE Prescribed Fire Skills training on April 6-7 are open through March 28,
2024. Applications for the RBTREX 2024 season are open until March 21, 2024.
Taken from a US Forest Press Release
