University of Minnesota Cloquet Forestry Center Programmatic Burn Plan 2020

Abstract

This programmatic burn plan identifies resources and conditions necessary to bring prescribed fire (also known as planned or controlled fire) back the University of Minnesota Cloquet Forestry Center (CFC). The primary objective for all prescribed burning operations is to reintroduce fire as an ecological and cultural process to promote and maintain historically fire-dependent forest communities. The plan contains twenty-one elements following the standard established in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Prescribed Fire Plan Template, PMS 484-1. Elements that are addressed include, but are not limited to, burn unit descriptions, prescriptions and objectives, safety hazards, resources needed for ignition, holding, and contingency, and a Go/No-go checklist for the day of burns. Seven burn units are identified across the CFC totaling 201.4 acres. The burn units range in size from 3.6-53.7 acres. Four units, totaling 75.2 acres, are identified as priority units and have site-specific information for prescribed fire implementation including maps. These units require minimal preparation to be ready for burning as of 2020; preparation primarily requires fire line establishment or refreshing where the unit perimeter is not already bounded by a road. Three additional units, totaling 126.2 acres, are identified as secondary units. These units require structural modification, primarily forest canopy density reduction through thinning, prior to being burned. This plan will serve as an umbrella document for the development of site-specific materials for these remaining units. For all units, appendices can be added, as necessary, with updated burn unit structure and fuel conditions.