Frequently Asked Questions

A controlled burn, also called a prescribed fire or prescribed burn, is the planned and controlled application of fire to vegetation in a specific area. It's a land management tool used to reduce wildfire risk, improve wildlife habitat, control invasive species, and restore ecosystem health.

Key characteristics of controlled burns:

• Planned in advance with specific objectives
• Conducted under optimal weather conditions
• Executed by trained professionals or experienced landowners
• Performed within legal and regulatory guidelines
• Monitored throughout the burn process

The requirements vary by state, but generally:

• Landowners: Private property owners can conduct burns on their own land if they meet state requirements (permits, training, notifications)
• Certified Burn Managers: Professionals who have completed state-approved prescribed fire training and certification programs
• Government Agencies: Federal, state, and local agencies (USFS, BLM, state forestry departments)
• Conservation Organizations: Land trusts and conservation groups with trained staff

BurnAtlas aggregates critical information into one platform:

• Weather Data: Real-time and 14-day forecast (Pro tier) including temperature, humidity, wind speed/direction, and precipitation
• Burn Score: Proprietary weighted scoring system that evaluates current conditions for burn safety
• State Regulations: Contact information and legal guidelines for your specific state
• Planning Tools: Weather patterns and optimal burn windows for your location

This saves you time by consolidating multiple sources of information and helps you make data-driven decisions about when and whether to burn.

In most states, yes. Permit requirements vary significantly by location:

• State-level permits: Required in most states, obtained through state forestry departments or environmental agencies
• County/local permits: Additional permits may be required by county fire marshals or local authorities
• Burn bans: Temporary restrictions during high fire danger periods override permits
• Exemptions: Some states exempt small burns (typically under 5 acres) but still require notification

BurnAtlas Pro provides specific requirements guideline sources and contact information for your state.

Safe burn conditions typically include:

• Wind Speed: 5-15 mph (ideal); avoid burns over 20 mph or under 3 mph (smoke dispersion issues)
• Relative Humidity: 30-60% (higher humidity slows fire spread)
• Temperature: 40-80°F (varies by fuel type and objectives)
• Fuel Moisture: 8-20% for most vegetation types
• Atmospheric Stability: Slight instability for good smoke lift
• Rain Forecast: No rain expected during burn or within 24 hours before

Our Burn Score weighs these factors to give you an at-a-glance assessment of current conditions.

If a controlled burn escapes containment, you may face:

• Civil Liability: Responsibility for all damages including property destruction, fire suppression costs, and injury compensation
• Criminal Charges: Negligence charges if proper precautions weren't taken, potentially including reckless endangerment
• Financial Costs: Fire suppression costs can exceed $100,000+ for even small escaped fires
• Insurance Issues: Homeowner's and liability insurance may not cover unpermitted burns

Notification timeline:

• Neighbors: 24-48 hours advance notice (some states require written notification)
• Local Fire Department: 24 hours minimum, day-of notification when igniting
• State Forestry/Environmental Agency: Varies by state; permits often require 3-7 days processing
• 911/Emergency Services: Call to inform them when you begin burning to prevent false alarm responses
• Air Quality Agencies: Some states require smoke management plan submission 48+ hours in advance

Our Burn Score is a weighted algorithm that evaluates up to nine meteorological factors against professional prescribed-fire standards (NWCG-aligned), producing a 0-100 score:

• Eye-level wind speed: ideal 2-6 mph
• Relative humidity: ideal 30-50%
• Precipitation probability: ideal <10%
• Temperature: ideal 60-85°F
• 20-foot wind speed: ideal 5-15 mph (when fire weather data available)
• Transport wind speed: ideal 9-20 mph
• Mixing height: ideal >2,200 ft (critical safety factor)
• Atmospheric dispersion index: ideal 40-90
• Fine fuel moisture: estimated from temp/humidity, ideal 8-15%

Scores are color-coded:

• 0-40 (Red): Unsafe — Do not burn
• 41-60 (Yellow): Marginal — Experienced only
• 61-100 (Green): Favorable conditions

We use authoritative public sources:

• National Weather Service (NOAA): Primary forecast data, gridpoint fire weather indices, and severe weather alerts
• Fire Weather Indices: Mixing height, transport wind, and dispersion index from NOAA gridpoint forecasts where available
• Census.gov Geocoding: ZIP-code-to-coordinate conversion for accurate location lookup

Forecast data is cached for 15 minutes — matching NOAA's update cadence — to keep the tool fast and respectful of the free public service.

The free tier provides a 3-day forecast, which is highly accurate and sufficient for immediate burn planning. The 14-day Pro forecast — the maximum NOAA publishes — enables strategic planning weeks in advance, helping you identify optimal burn windows and coordinate resources, equipment, and crew availability.

Forecast accuracy: Days 1-3: ~85-90% | Days 4-7: ~75-80% | Days 8-14: ~60-70%

Optimal burn seasons vary by region and objectives:

• Southeastern US: Late winter/early spring (Jan-March) — dormant season burns for longleaf pine, hardwood control
• Great Plains: Early spring (March-April) and fall (Sept-Oct) — grassland management
• Pacific Northwest: Fall (Sept-Oct) — after summer dry season but before heavy rains
• Southwest: Late winter/spring (Feb-April) — cooler temperatures, moderate fuel moisture
• Midwest: Spring (April-May) — prairie restoration burns

Minimum personnel requirements depend on acreage:

• Under 5 acres: 3-4 people minimum (1 burn boss, 2-3 crew)
• 5-20 acres: 4-6 people (1 burn boss, 3-5 crew, 1 dedicated lookout)
• 20-100 acres: 6-10 people with specialized roles
• Over 100 acres: Professional crew of 10+ with incident command structure

Essential roles:

• Burn Boss: Overall decision-maker and safety officer
• Ignition Crew: Applies fire according to plan
• Holding Crew: Patrols perimeter and prevents escapes
• Lookout: Monitors weather, smoke, and spot fires

Essential equipment:

• Ignition: Drip torches, propane torches, or fusee flares
• Suppression: Water backpacks (5-gallon), rakes, shovels, flappers/beaters
• Water Source: Water truck, slip-on tank unit, or hydrant access
• Communication: Two-way radios for all crew members
• Safety Gear: Nomex clothing, leather gloves, safety glasses, hard hats
• Weather Monitoring: Handheld anemometer (wind speed), sling psychrometer (humidity)
• Navigation: GPS, maps, compass

Recommended additional equipment:

• Firebreaks: Disk plow, tractor, or ATV with plow attachment
• First aid kit and fire shelter (for larger burns)
• Thermal imaging camera (detect hot spots)

Yes, firebreaks are essential. Proper firebreaks prevent fire escape and are often legally required.

Firebreak types and widths:

• Plowed/disked lines: Bare mineral soil, 6-20 feet wide depending on fuel load
• Mowed strips: Vegetation cut to ground level, 30-50 feet wide
• Wet lines: Water-soaked vegetation (temporary, requires constant monitoring)
• Natural barriers: Roads, streams, rock outcrops (still need enhancement)

Firebreaks should be installed at least 48 hours before burning to allow settling and should connect to anchor points (roads, streams, bare areas).

Free Tier includes:

• 3-day forecast
• Basic burn score
• General burn safety information
• Basic state regulations

Pro Tier ($9.99/month) adds:

• 14-day strategic forecast (NOAA maximum)
• Full state regulations with permit-office contact information
• "Best days to burn" recommendations
• PDF export of forecasts and burn plans
• Ad-free experience

Yes, you can cancel anytime with no cancellation fees. When you cancel:

• You retain Pro access through the end of your current billing period
• Your account automatically reverts to Free tier at the end of the period
• Your saved locations and preferences are preserved
• You can reactivate Pro at any time