Ecological Restoration: Prescribed Burning - Line Crew - Prescribed Burn
Prescribed Burn Line Crew
**Please limit yourself to one burn in a week (Sunday - Saturday)**
*** Spring burns are extremely weather dependent. That means that cancellations, changed start/end times, location switches, and other hiccups are highly likely to occur. These burns are for volunteers with adjustable schedules and a willingness to remain flexible as our staff determine burnable units ***
Location:
Arrive at least 10 minutes before start time so we can all be on time. Burns require everyone to be prompt and ready to move together. Locations listed are meeting places.
- Friday, April 11th: Indian Lake County Park 8183 WI-19, Cross Plains
- Briefing 9:00am (arrive by 8:50)
- Meet at the main parking lot by the picnic shelter
- Saturday, April 12th: Waunakee Prairie
- Meet at the Waunakee Fire Department 401 W 2nd St, Waunakee
- Briefing 9:00am (arrive by 8:50)
- The Waunakee Fire Department will be assisting us
- Sunday, April 13th: CANCELLED
How to Prepare:
What to Know:
- Volunteers often have various levels of knowledge about and experience with prescribed burns. Our squad bosses do their best to train those with minimal experience during the burn itself. We conduct our burns using multiple styles of ignition techniques and have safety on the top of our lists during each and every burn.
- End time is uncertain and depends on how the burn progresses over the course of the day. Our burns vary widely on size, scope, and amount of mop-up required. Some burns will end an hour later while others might take until the end of the day. Please communicate with us when you would need to leave by, if you need to.
- All necessary materials are provided for workdays.
- Leather gloves are recommended; please avoid plastic or synthetic gloves.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as fire-resistant Nomex jumpsuits (XS - XXXL), leather gloves, eye protection, and helmets are provided for those without their own.
What to Bring:
- Bring drinking water, a bagged lunch, and a snack(s). This work can be difficult if you don't fuel correctly!
What to Wear:
- "Fire safe” clothing made of natural fibers that will not melt (no nylon, polyester, etc.). Layering is recommended. You may wear synthetic layers under natural ones.
- Leather (or similar) work boots. Boots made of plastic and/or synthetic materials are not allowed.
- A ball cap or hat to protect your head/hair.
- We provide a fire-resistant Nomex jumpsuit for volunteers to wear over their clothing
Accessibility & Physical Requirements:
- This is a physically strenuous activity. Volunteers should be comfortable with walking on uneven terrain, up hills, and down slopes. A suggested physical baseline: if you are able to carry 25 pounds for two miles (over the course of ~30 minutes), then you are able to do this work.
- For these events, you must be able to hear, communicate orally, and walk unassisted.
- Bathroom availability is limited at these events. View the Open Restrooms webpage for more information. There may be no open bathroom at a burn site. It is recommended that you use one before the workday.
Burn Cancellations and Schedule Change Notifications:
These prescribed burns are very weather dependent. Registered participants will receive immediate emails and/or phone calls if a burn needs to be relocated, rescheduled, or cancelled. Please make sure your contact information is included when you sign up.
Questions?
Please contact either Leah, Lars, or Shane, with any questions.
- Lars Higdon, Botanist/Naturalist: Dane County Parks
- (608) 286-9497 higdon.lars@danecounty.gov
- Leah Kleiman, Land Restoration Specialist
- (608) 843-1863 kleiman.leah@danecounty.gov
- Shane Otto, Botanist/Naturalist: Dane County Parks
- (608) 575-0396 otto.shane@danecounty.gov
Qualifications Required
- DCP Prescribed Burn Crew Certification or Approved Training Must be Completed