🔥 Small Teams, Big Impact: The Rise of Micro Prescribed Burn Associations

Across California, communities are proving that meaningful wildfire resilience doesn’t have to start with large agencies or million-dollar budgets. The Micro Prescribed Burn Association (Micro-PBA) model empowers small, motivated groups of neighbors to bring good fire back to their landscapes safely and legally — one burn at a time.

What Is a Micro-PBA?

A Micro-PBA is a locally organized group of 5–20 landowners, volunteers, and trained fire practitioners who work together to plan and conduct prescribed burns within their own community. Operating at a hyper-local scale, Micro-PBAs emphasize trust, training, and teamwork. They use shared tools, neighbor-to-neighbor cooperation, and guidance from experienced mentors to make prescribed fire accessible and achievable for everyone.

Why Micro-PBAs Work

1. Local Knowledge: Members know their land, vegetation, and weather patterns — creating better burn outcomes.

2. Shared Resources: Equipment, training, and expertise are pooled to make burns affordable and safe.

3. Community Safety: Every member participates in planning, weather monitoring, and suppression readiness.

4. Scalable Success: A few acres burned by many groups across California creates landscape-level resilience.

How the Healthy Forest Alliance Can Help

The Healthy Forest Alliance (HFA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering local communities to lead their own wildfire resilience efforts. Through our Training Division, Prescribed Fire Equipment & Trailer Program, and Fire Practitioner Membership, we help communities launch and sustain Micro-PBAs with the resources they need to succeed.

HFA provides:

• Step-by-step guidance to form your own Micro-PBA, including bylaws, leadership structure, and training plans.

• Access to our equipment loan program, including backpack pumps, radios, weather kits, PPE caches, and firing devices.

• Discounted or free NWCG-certified training courses (S-130, S-190, S-212, S-219, and more).

• Task Book initiation and Red Card issuance for qualified Fire Practitioner Members.

• Assistance with burn plans, risk assessments, and Certified Burn Boss (CARX) partnerships.

• Support navigating liability and funding programs, including the California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund.

• Opportunities for financial sponsorship and fiscal partnership for newly forming PBAs — allowing HFA to accept tax-deductible donations, manage grant funds, and provide administrative support while local groups focus on training and burning.

Financial Sponsorship & 501(c)(3) Partnership

Many new PBAs lack the nonprofit status required to apply for grants or receive donations. That’s where HFA steps in. As a registered 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 33-3363950), HFA can serve as a fiscal sponsor for emerging PBAs — holding funds, managing compliance, and helping groups qualify for state or foundation grants. This service allows Micro-PBAs to focus on their mission without the administrative burden of building their own nonprofit structure.

Every donation made through HFA to support a local Micro-PBA or prescribed fire initiative is tax-deductible and goes directly toward training, equipment, and safe, community-led burning across California.

Why It Matters

Micro-PBAs represent a new era of community-driven wildfire resilience — small, organized, and deeply local. By empowering residents to safely use prescribed fire, we can reduce wildfire risk, restore ecosystems, and rebuild California’s relationship with good fire.

The Healthy Forest Alliance is here to help — from training your first members to hosting your first burn, and beyond.

🔗 Ready to Start a Micro-PBA?

Visit www.good-fire.org to learn more about forming a Micro Prescribed Burn Association in your community or to request partnership, equipment, or fiscal sponsorship through the Healthy Forest Alliance.

“So You’ve Masticated Your Land for Fire Safety… Now What?”

Across California, thousands of landowners are investing in mastication — grinding brush, shrubs, and small trees into chips to reduce surface fuels. It’s an important first step in wildfire risk reduction. But here’s the truth: mastication alone doesn’t finish the job.

When shredded material is left on the ground, it forms a dense mat of fine fuels that can trap heat and ignite easily. Studies by CAL FIRE and UC Cooperative Extension show that masticated fuels can burn at higher soil temperatures and for longer durations than untreated brush. Without a follow-up treatment, that chipped layer becomes a long-term fire hazard — not a solution.

So what’s next?
🔥 Prescribed fire.

Why Prescribed Fire Completes the Work

A low-intensity prescribed burn following mastication removes surface fuels, recycles nutrients, and restores native vegetation. It:

• Reduces flame length and fire intensity by consuming fine fuels and excess mulch.

• Increases soil health by releasing locked-up nutrients and promoting native grass regrowth.

• Improves habitat for deer, birds, and pollinators.

• Decreases maintenance costs, extending the effectiveness of your fuel reduction work for years.

Mechanical treatment without fire is like cutting your lawn and leaving all the clippings behind — it helps, but it doesn’t solve the problem.

Why You Should Hire a California Certified Burn Boss (CARX)

A CARX is a state-certified professional authorized under California law (Public Resources Code §4477–4478) to plan and lead prescribed burns. They are trained in fire behavior, weather analysis, risk management, and emergency response — and are legally recognized by CAL FIRE.

Here’s why hiring a CARX matters:

• ✅ Legal Protection: Under California law, burns conducted under a CARX and approved burn plan are eligible for coverage under the Prescribed Fire Claims Fund, which covers damages from escaped prescribed fires that are not grossly negligent.

• ✅ Reduced Liability: The state explicitly limits suppression cost liability for CARX-supervised burns that meet statutory and permit requirements.

• ✅ Professional Planning: CARX professionals handle complex tasks such as smoke management, contingency planning, fire-weather forecasting, and agency notifications.

• ✅ Safety and Compliance: CARXs ensure your burn meets Air Quality, CAL FIRE, and local Fire Marshal standards, reducing risk of violations or shutdowns.

• ✅ Efficiency and Cost Savings: A well-planned CARX burn can treat an acre for as little as $150–$250, compared to $1,000–$3,000 per acre for mechanical clearing alone.

Ready to Finish What You Started?

If you’ve already masticated your property, you’re halfway to resilience. The next step is to convert that mulch into minerals and return beneficial fire to your land — safely, legally, and efficiently.

The Healthy Forest Alliance can help you connect with certified burn bosses, assist with permitting, and organize community burns that turn masticated fuel beds into thriving, fire-adapted landscapes.

👉 Visit www.good-fire.org to learn how to host or join a prescribed burn near you.
Because real wildfire resilience starts when the smoke clears — and the land comes back healthier than before.

🔥 The Do’s and Don’ts of Pile Burning for Property Owners in California

When used correctly, pile burning is one of the most effective and affordable ways for California landowners to reduce excess vegetation, maintain defensible space, and prevent catastrophic wildfire. But pile burning still involves risk — and in California, it must be done with care, proper permitting, and professional guidance.

Whether you’re managing small debris piles or large forest fuels, following the right practices can make your project safer, cleaner, and legally compliant.

✅ The Do’s of Pile Burning

1. Obtain the Required Permits

Before you burn, always contact your local Cal Fire office and Air Pollution Control District.

• You may need both a Burn Permit (PRC §4422) and a Smoke Management Permit (Title 17 CCR).

• Burn only on designated “permissive burn days.”
  Burning without the proper authorization can lead to fines and full liability for suppression costs.

2. Choose Safe Conditions

Only burn when weather and fuel moisture conditions are favorable.

• Ideal: calm winds (below 5 mph), cool temperatures, and moderate humidity.

• Avoid burning on Red Flag Warnings, during high winds, or extended drought periods.

• Keep piles at least 10 feet from trees, fences, or structures.

3. Build Smart, Dry Piles

• Use only natural vegetation—no trash, lumber, or treated materials.

• Stack material loosely to allow air flow and complete combustion.

• Keep piles about 4 ft x 4 ft unless larger burns are approved by Cal Fire.

• Clear 10 feet of bare mineral soil around each pile.

• Cover the top of each pile with a tarp or burn cover to keep it dry through the winter. Dry piles ignite faster, burn cleaner, and create far less smoke.

4. Always Monitor Your Burn

• Keep a shovel, hose, and water source ready.

• Stay present the entire time the pile is burning.

• Stir and soak ashes when done—cold to the touch before leaving the site.

5. Notify Your Neighbors

Inform nearby residents and your local fire department before burning. It helps prevent false alarms and demonstrates your commitment to responsible fire use.

6. Work with a Certified Burn Boss (CARX)

Hiring or consulting with a California Certified Burn Boss (CARX) can make the process significantly safer and more defensible under the law.

A CARX professional:

• Ensures compliance with Cal Fire and air district regulations.

• Creates a site-specific burn plan that includes weather, safety, and contingency procedures.

• Can make your project eligible for coverage under the California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund, which helps pay for suppression costs or damages if an approved burn escapes.

• Operates under the gross negligence liability standard rather than strict liability, providing greater legal protection for the landowner.

In short — partnering with a Certified Burn Boss makes your pile burn safer, smarter, and legally protected.

❌ The Don’ts of Pile Burning

1. Don’t Burn Without a Permit
During fire season (typically May–October), burn suspensions are common. Burning without a valid permit can result in citations and full financial liability for suppression costs.

2. Don’t Burn on Windy or Hot Days
Even a small ember can travel hundreds of feet in dry conditions and start a wildfire.

3. Don’t Burn Wet Material or Trash
Wet fuel creates heavy smoke, while prohibited items like plastic, lumber, and garbage release toxic pollutants and violate state air quality laws.

4. Don’t Leave Smoldering Piles
Reignite risk is high in California’s dry climate. Always stir, soak, and check with your hand before leaving the site.

5. Don’t Ignore Smoke Impacts
Be mindful of sensitive neighbors, schools, or hospitals nearby. Poor smoke management can lead to complaints or violations under Title 17 Smoke Management Guidelines.

6. Don’t Assume You’re Automatically Covered
If a pile burn escapes and causes damage, you may be held liable unless your project was approved and led by a CARX or done under an official burn plan coordinated with Cal Fire.

🌲 Better Together: Safe Burning Through Partnerships

The Healthy Forest Alliance encourages landowners to work with local Fire Safe Councils, Resource Conservation Districts, and Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) to learn and apply safe pile burning techniques.

Our team can help you:

• Obtain permits and coordinate with local agencies

• Develop a compliant burn plan

• Connect with Certified Burn Bosses (CARX) for professional oversight

• Access equipment, training, and cost-share programs

💧 Good Fire Is Planned Fire

Pile burning is a valuable tool for fuel reduction and community protection — but only when done responsibly.

By following these Do’s and Don’ts, keeping your piles dry, and working with a Certified Burn Boss, you can safely reduce wildfire risk while protecting your property and community.

Learn More:

Visit our Prescribed Fire Planning page to learn about permits, CARX services, and community training opportunities:
👉 www.healthyforestalliance.org

🔥 Understanding the California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund: Protecting Landowners and Expanding Good Fire

California has taken a major step toward bringing back “good fire” to our landscapes — and reducing the risks of bad wildfire — through the creation of the California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund (PF-CF).

This groundbreaking program provides financial protection for landowners, burn bosses, and community partners who conduct prescribed burns safely and legally under an approved burn plan. It removes one of the biggest barriers to prescribed fire: fear of financial ruin if something goes wrong.

What Is the California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund?

The California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund was established by Senate Bill 926 (Dodd, 2022) and is administered by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

It acts as a state-backed insurance fund designed to cover suppression costs, property damage, or other losses that might result from a prescribed burn conducted under the supervision of a California Certified Burn Boss (CARX) and an approved burn plan.

In short: if your burn was properly permitted, led by a CARX, and conducted according to plan, the fund may reimburse or pay for eligible costs should the fire escape or cause damages.

Why the Claims Fund Matters

For decades, California landowners faced strict liability under Public Resources Code §4422, meaning that even with the best planning and intentions, they could be held automatically responsible for any damages or firefighting costs from a prescribed burn — no matter the circumstances.

The new Claims Fund changes that. By shifting the legal standard from strict liability to gross negligence and providing financial coverage, California is encouraging more responsible prescribed burning while keeping safety at the forefront.

How the Fund Works

To qualify for the California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund, a burn must meet several key criteria:

• 🔸 The project must have an approved burn plan that meets Cal Fire standards.

• 🔸 A California Certified Burn Boss (CARX) must be present and in charge of all operations.

• 🔸 The burn must comply with local air district smoke management and burn day authorization requirements.

• 🔸 The burn must be conducted within the approved prescription and parameters outlined in the plan.

• 🔸 Any damages, losses, or suppression costs must be promptly reported to Cal Fire for review.

If a prescribed burn conducted under these conditions causes unintended damage, the Claims Fund can pay eligible claims for fire suppression, property damage, or third-party losses.

Legal Foundation: PRC §4475–§4479.7

The Claims Fund is codified under California Public Resources Code §4479.5 and works in conjunction with the California Certified Burn Boss Program established under PRC §4477–§4479.7.

Together, these laws create a framework that encourages safe, professional prescribed fire — balancing responsibility with realistic protection for those who follow the rules.

They state that:

No person who conducts a burn in accordance with an approved burn plan and under the supervision of a Certified Burn Boss shall be liable for suppression costs or damages unless gross negligence is proven.

This means that only in cases of gross negligence — a severe departure from accepted professional standards — could a landowner or Burn Boss face liability. Otherwise, the Claims Fund steps in to cover costs.

What This Means for Landowners

The Prescribed Fire Claims Fund gives landowners the confidence to move forward with prescribed fire projects that were once considered too risky. When you hire a Certified Burn Boss and follow Cal Fire’s approval process:

✅ You’re protected from automatic liability
✅ You’re eligible for state-funded financial coverage
✅ You’re contributing to California’s wildfire resilience and ecological restoration goals

Prescribed burning under this framework helps communities reduce hazardous fuels, protect homes, and restore the health of forests and rangelands — safely, legally, and responsibly.

Healthy Forest Alliance Can Help

The Healthy Forest Alliance works with property owners, Prescribed Burn Associations, and partner organizations to develop burn plans, connect you with Certified Burn Bosses, and ensure your project meets all Claims Fund and CARX requirements.

Our mission is to make prescribed fire accessible, affordable, and safe for every community across California.

👉 Learn more about prescribed fire planning, permitting, and the California Prescribed Fire Claims Fund at:
www.healthyforestalliance.org/prescribed-fire-planning

Together, we can make Good Fire safer — and help California thrive again.