Prescribed burning is a land management tool that benefits the safety of the public, the environment, and the economy of the state. Certification can reduce the liability for those conducting outdoor burning.
GFC instructors will provide instruction on subjects such as fire behavior, fire weather and fire tactics.
Applicants may attend one of several training sessions scheduled throughout the year where they will receive a comprehensive study manual and instruction on subjects such as fire behavior, fire weather and fire tactics. The applicants must pass a written test, have two years of experience and meet a prerequisite of having been the person in charge of five prescribed burns before becoming a certified prescribed burner in Georgia.
Upcoming Georgia Prescribed Fire Council Meetings
The Georgia Prescribed Fire Council invites you to attend the 2025 North Georgia Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
The agenda varies from a look at Tall Timbers Smoke Science Program to seasonal effects on burning hardwoods, a review of landowner insurance options and burning in storm-damaged woodlands. Breakfast and lunch are included.
For more information or to register for this event, click here.
Upcoming Certification Training
| Title | Description | Document Type |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Fire Certification Course – Brunswick, GA | GFC instructors are providing instruction on fire behavior, fire weather, and fire tactics. Date: October 7-8 Location: Coastal Pines Technical College – Brunswick, GA Registration for this class is now open! Click here to register. | |
| Prescribed Fire Certification Course – Thomasville, GA | GFC instructors are providing instruction on fire behavior, fire weather, and fire tactics. Date: Early December 2025 Location: Southern Regional Technical College – Thomasville, GA Registration information coming soon! |
Helpful Resources
| Title | Description | Document Type |
|---|---|---|
| Code of Ethics for Prescribed Burn | The Code of Ethics for Prescribed Burners | |
| Daily Fire Danger Rating Map | Daily updates of fire risks across Georgia | External Website |
| Fine Fuel Moisture Table | A close estimate of the fine dead fuel moisture (FDFM) on your burn unit any time a FDFM reading is desired | |
| Fire Weather Forecast | Current Fire Weather Forecasts and current National Fire Danger Ratings by GFC Areas | External Website |
| Georgia Prescribed Burn Laws | Prescribed Burn Laws from the Official Code of Georgia, Section 12-6-90 and Sections 12-6-145 through 12-6-149 | External Website |
| Georgia Prescribed Fire Council | Council for prescribed fire advocacy across the state | External Website |
| Introduction to Prescribed Fire in Southern Ecosystems | Helpful resource for managers to plan and execute prescribed burns in Southern forests and grasslands | |
| NORTH GEORGIA BURN BAN BOOSTS AIR QUALITY | On May 1, an outdoor burn ban will begin in 54 Georgia counties, primarily in the northern half of the state. Affected residents are asked to refrain from burning yard and land clearing debris, whose smoke can negatively impact the state’s air quality during the hot summer months by contributing to high ozone levels. These conditions have been linked to lung and heart disease in humans. Please see this .pdf for more details. | |
| Prescribed Burn Certification Affidavit Form | ||
| Prescribed Burn Plan – 2021 Update | A resource for all GFC personnel when conducting prescribed burn assistance for landowners and when conducting prescribed burning on GFC owned lands | |
| Prescribed Burning Brochure | Overview of best practices for preparing a prescribed burn plan | |
| Prescribed Fire – Sprewell Bluff Natural Area | Overview of a prescribed fire near Thomaston, GA conducted by members of an inter-agency burn team | Video |
| Prescribed Fire Certification Course – Brunswick, GA | GFC instructors are providing instruction on fire behavior, fire weather, and fire tactics. Date: October 7-8 Location: Coastal Pines Technical College – Brunswick, GA Registration for this class is now open! Click here to register. | |
| Prescribed Fire Certification Course – Thomasville, GA | GFC instructors are providing instruction on fire behavior, fire weather, and fire tactics. Date: Early December 2025 Location: Southern Regional Technical College – Thomasville, GA Registration information coming soon! | |
| Prescribed Fire in Georgia – A Strategic Plan 2008-2020 | Helpful resource for detailed information on prescribed burning | |
| Smoke Management Plan | Georgia’s basic procedures and requirements for managing smoke from prescribed burns. | |
| V Smoke | VSmoke-Web is a web-based implementation of VSmoke (Lavdas, 1996) and is designed to assist with planning prescribed burns in the Southern United States. | External Website |