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 Certification Training

TitleDescriptionDocument Type
Prescribed Fire Certification Course – Waycross, GA

GFC instructors are providing instruction on fire behavior, fire weather, and fire tactics.

Date: October 2-3

Location: Coastal Pines Technical College Waycross Campus

Registration opening July 2024.

Prescribed Fire Certification Course – Jasper, GA

GFC instructors are providing instruction on fire behavior, fire weather, and fire tactics.

Date: June 11-12

Location: Chattahoochee Technical College Appalachian Campus

Class is limited to 50 participants and costs $145.

Click here to register!

PDF

Helpful Resources

TitleDescriptionDocument Type
Code of Ethics for Prescribed Burn

The Code of Ethics for Prescribed Burners

PDF
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

PDF
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

PDF
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.

PDF
Prescribed Burn Certification Affidavit FormPDF
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

PDF
Prescribed Burning Brochure

Overview of best practices for preparing a prescribed burn plan

PDF
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 – Jasper, GA

GFC instructors are providing instruction on fire behavior, fire weather, and fire tactics.

Date: June 11-12

Location: Chattahoochee Technical College Appalachian Campus

Class is limited to 50 participants and costs $145.

Click here to register!

PDF
Prescribed Fire Certification Course – Waycross, GA

GFC instructors are providing instruction on fire behavior, fire weather, and fire tactics.

Date: October 2-3

Location: Coastal Pines Technical College Waycross Campus

Registration opening July 2024.

Prescribed Fire in Georgia – A Strategic Plan 2008-2020

Helpful resource for detailed information on prescribed burning

PDF
Smoke Management Plan

Georgia’s basic procedures and requirements for managing smoke from prescribed burns

PDF
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