Evaluation and monitoring

Evaluation and monitoring are essential tasks on any prescribed burn. Someone should be designated to make observations and record them. Measure weather conditions (temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity) before, during and after the burn. Were weather conditions within the prescription window? Describe the fire behavior produced by the combination of fuels, weather, topography, firing techniques and ignition pattern. Did the burn meet the plan objectives? Were there any accidents or escaped fire? Did the smoke behave as predicted; were there any residual smoke issues?

Visit the site again in 60-90 days. What is the plant response? Is it what you expected? Evaluation and monitoring are continuous processes to observe plant and wildlife responses, refine your objectives and improve the planning and implementation of the next prescribed burn.