TN Certified Burn Manager Program

The TN Certified Burn Manager Program follows the TN Prescribed Burning Act in that TDF has full authority to provide and instruct the TN Certified Burn Manager Course. This course is the basic level course, also following the TN Prescribed Burning Act, providing students a certification as a TN Certified Burn Manager.

In this course, students will explore essential concepts such as wildland fire terminology, fundamental fire behavior, fire weather, effects of fire, smoke management, ignition and holding strategies, contingencies, and drafting a burn plan. Upon successful completion, participants will earn certification as a basic-level TN Certified Burn Manager, recognized exclusively within the State of Tennessee.

The course encompasses several units, offering students comprehensive training. It includes one day in the classroom and a field day where students will develop their own burn plan based on a potential unit. Instructors will be available on-site to answer questions and offer guidance to support the creation of the burn plan.

In 2024, an additional supplemental day was introduced to the TN Certified Burn Program, typically offered alongside course sessions. This extra day features speakers and presenters who discuss various aspects of conducting prescribed fires in the state, covering a range of topics.

Tennessee Certified Burn Manager Summer 2024
This photo was taken at the June 2024 offering of the course. This was the field day exercise where the participants went out and practiced writing a burn plan for a supposed unit.

Common topics on this day may include, but not limited to:

  • Wildland Considerations
  • Timber Stand Improvement
  • Endangered Flora Considerations
  • Invasive Species and Prescribed Fire
  • Smoke Management and EPA updates
     

If you'd like to join the next program, please fill out the form below, and we will contact you!

Wildland Prescribed Fire

Note: To achieve National Burn Boss qualifications, students must complete additional courses beyond those offered by the TN Certified Burn Manager Program. Upon successfully completing the TN Certified Burn Manager Course, students will receive a TN Certified Burn Manager number. This number services as documentation that should be added to all TN Certified Burn Managers Burn Plans.

Certification is valid for three years, during which the TN Certified Burn Manager must continue to advance their knowledge and skills in the field. Recertification requires at least 6 credit hours. To recertify, you can submit certificates of attendance, registration certificates, or completed burn plans, among other documentation.

Contact

Jackie Broeker
Prescribed Fire Program Specialist
Jacqueline.Broeker@tn.gov