How a Controlled Burn is Approved in New York

Controlled burns are one of the most effective tools conservationists have to ensure dangerous wildfires do not occur during dry and rainy seasons.

“Both to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires that threaten not only the ecology but also the surrounding human community and, incidentally, to preserve species,” said Neil Gifford, director of the Albany Pine Preserve Commission. “We are working to address the biodiversity crisis and prevent species extinction.”

The commission is one of several groups in New York that works with the DEC to ensure fire safety and proper control. This includes a detailed plan before work begins that must be approved by the DEC and a detailed list of information such as fuel consumption, area topography and fire boundaries.

Fire Chief Tyler Briggs explains that it all starts with a burn test.

“You will start on the leeward side with all your equipment and resources close to the test site,” he said. “The burn manager will then decide whether the burn will be successful and whether it is safe to do so. And you will only proceed if the test fire is successful.”

This test firing is a key element in determining whether a controlled burn will be safe.

“Sometimes we stop a burn based on how the fuel burns during the test phase,” Briggs said. “And because either it’s not going to meet the objectives or it’s not going to be safe to do that day.”

Gifford said climate change is making prescribed burns more necessary. This year, their first prescribed burn was in February, the earliest they’ve ever done it.

“As weather conditions become more variable, the likelihood of wildfires increases,” he said. “Ultimately, our concern is to reduce the risk of wildfires to protect people.”