Learn & Burn Workshop

Last week NCPBA held its inaugural Learn & Burn event in Carlton, WA. This all-day workshop engaged community members and highlighted NCPBA's role while providing an overview of the planning and implementation processes involved in prescribed burns.

The workshop, which fostered connections among local residents, partners, and other stakeholders interested in prescribed fire and forest health was made possible through partnerships with Cascadia PBA, Washington Resource Conservation and Development Council, Sustainable Northwest and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and the Libby Creek Firewise Association.

Attendees learned about necessary steps for a successful prescribed burn, including tracking local weather trends, burn planning and regulatory considerations.

Participants engaged in a suite of classroom activities, including this one, a tree cookie depicting historic fire and its historical return intervals as part of Dale Swedburg’s Fire Ecology session.

Field sessions provide attendees with hands-on, practical experience through critical skills such as fire line construction, a step involved in planning and implementing a prescribed burn.

Hose lay setups and drip torch basics were introduced under the guidance of experienced professionals.

Opportunities to discuss prescribed fire, exchange ideas between neighbors and community members, and address questions regarding the prescribed burns were key elements of the event.

Comments

Post Burns Report

We've been monitoring the recovery of the sites of the three burns we completed since October and we're very happy with the results! In October 2024 we burned 1 acre that had lots of dead branches on the ground and old stumps. We had a good mosaic of some areas that burned very hot and others very lightly. October 26, 2024 Admittedly, that unit didn't look as good as we were hoping in the early spring. While the adjacent unburned units were very lush, the burned one was slow to get started with quite a bit of bare ground showing. May 10, 2025 But arnica eventually started popping up and we had thrown some yarrow seeds on the most severely burned patches (mainly from large stumps) and that's what you can see on the right side of the photos. June 21, 2025 The yarrow is now growing abundantly and the arnica is still blooming despite having gone to seed weeks ago in the unburned units. We definitely overseeded the yarrow and some of it is starting to dry ou...

Flame Cap Kiln Burn

Earlier this week we had the chance to attend a flame cap kiln burn at Dan and Bethany's near Winthrop. Dan built the kiln and Bethany was kind enough to write up the process and take pictures: Kiln Dimensions: Base: 47” X 47”, top: 59”X59”, height: 36”, 1.5” drain valve, approximately 350 gallons capacity (1.7 cubic yards), made out of 1/8” welded steel plate (locally cut in Twisp, WA and welded by landowner outside of Winthrop) designed by landowner based on Oregon Kiln design. Weather: light wind, about 50 degrees Process: We reviewed the weather conditions, forecast, and Dept of Ecology burn information to ensure conditions were acceptable for burning, and 4 people were present to load the kiln and monitor for embers. Safety precautions: We had 2 garden hoses. The kiln was in an open area on dirt. We also had tools available (shovels, rakes, and rogue hoe). We were watching for embers. initial loading of debris the day before burning Timeline We had previously l...

Spring 2025 Learn to Burn Event

We had a great day of learning despite the cold wind! Tom Leuschen talked about the different factors that impact fuel moisture and fire behavior. We then moved around to warm up a little and Xavier gave a tour of the unit that was burned last Fall, leading to a great conversation of what landowners have to do to prepare their property to receive a prescribed fire. After a great lunch provided by the PBA and the landowner, we learned how to set up a proper hose lay around a burn unit and Tom demonstrated the patterns of ignition that can be used during a burn. Participants gained a greater appreciation and understanding for prescribed fire and most of them came back the next day for the Demonstration Burn!

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