Prescribed Burning

Firefighters in yellow gear douse smoldering ground in a wooded area.

Current Prescribed Burn  Projects: 

CAL FIRE plan to burn approximately 50 acres in Magalia (Rambling Way near Paradise Lake) between May 27 and May 29.  Click here for a press release with additional information.  

Approvals for prescribed burns are  evaluated as requests are received and if approved, will be shown on the state-wide map of authorized agency-administered prescribed burns, which is located here.  Smaller prescribed burn projects and pile burn projects conducted by contractors and landowners are not shown on this map, but authorization must be provided by the District. 

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District Rules require a prescribed burn permit with a map of all proposed burn locations for all types of prescribed burning, which includes broadcast and/or underburning.  CAL FIRE or local Fire protection agencies also require a burn permit for this type of burning; please contact your local fire station or Butte County CAL FIRE’s main office at (530) 538-7111 with any questions about their requirements.

The following prescribed burning activities require a Smoke Management Plan (SMP) in addition to a District prescribed burning permit:

  • Open burning associated with range improvement, wildland vegetation management, and forestry and timber operations located below the elevation of 1000 feet above sea level, regardless of size.
  • Open burning associated with range improvement, wildland vegetation management, and forestry and timber operations encompassing a land area greater than 10 acres in size at any elevation.

A Smoke Management Plan shall be submitted to the District through PFIRS at least 14 days prior to ignition. For more information and assistance, please contact Ursula Parker at 530-332-9400 x104.

For more information, please see the Prescribed Burning Fact Sheet

The California Air Resources Board has come out with an app to track smoke from Prescribed Fires. More information about the California Smoke Spotter App here.

To learn more about Prescribed Burn Associations, visit the California Prescribed Burn Association Page.

For more information about Prescribed Fires, see the booklet by the Forest Management Task Force below.

Firefighters in a forest with smoke, "Prescribed Fire" report cover.