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RX Burn Boss Type 2

Position Description

Duties

  • The Prescribed Fire Burn Boss is responsible to the agency administrator/Prescribed Fire Manager and coordinates with the FMO on implementing the Prescribed Fire Plan.
  • Reviews prescribed Fire Plans prior to implementation and ensure that plan requirements are met.
  • Confirms pre-burn notifications are done.
  • Performs a reconnaissance of the site prior to implementation to validate burn plan elements, including areas of special concern and that holding/contingency plans adequately address the expected fire behavior outside of the unit.
  • Maintains communication with the FMO and/or Agency Administrator.
  • Obtains area/zone weather forecasts, spot weather, updates and advisories from a meteorologist.
  • Coordinates required/qualified personnel and equipment.
  • Ensures that the Agency Administrator Go/No-Go decision and checklist is still valid.
  • Coordinates with resource advisor and or land owners and permittees when burning on or adjacent to private lands.
  • Makes the go/no-go decision, complete and sign the implementation go/no-go checklist.
  • Conducts the personnel/safety briefing to ensure a safe operation.
  • Conducts the test burn.
  • Supervises assigned personnel.
  • Oversees the ignition, holding and monitoring operations.
  • Ensures that a log records all activities during each operational period.
  • Continuously monitor the prescribed fire to determine if it is not within prescription parameters or is not meeting project objectives.
  • Make the decision to declare the prescribed fire a wildfire and manage the incident or oversee the transition to another Incident Commander if an escape occurs.
  • Evaluate and document objective accomplishments, operational procedures, assigned personnel and costs.
  • Implement the contingency section until the prescribed fire is out.
  • Declare the prescribed fire out unless the project is formally passed to another burn boss, prescribed fire manager or the local fire management organization.
  • Ensure that reports are completed.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (S-390)
  • Satisfactory performance as an Ignition Specialist Type 2
    AND
  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 4
    AND
  • Satisfactory position performance as a Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 in representative fuel group(s)
  • Recommended training includes: Prescribed Fire Burn Boss (RX-300), Leadership and Organizational Development (S-381), Introduction to fire Effects (RX-310)
  • RX300 and RX341

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

WFSTAR 2025 Core Component Module Package and 2024 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date: March 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Joe Schindel at mschindel@blm.gov
 

The 2025 Core Component Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2024 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2025 Core Component Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2025 Core Component Module Package

2024 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053

Date: March 12, 2025
Contact: Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Committee

The NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053 provides mitigation practitioners at all experience levels with recommendations on the most effective and efficient ways to accomplish mitigation work in communities at risk to wildfire damage or destruction. The content in this guide was written in coordination with the NWCG Standards for Mitigation in the Wildland Urban Interface, PMS 052.

References:

NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053 

Updated, NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Date: March 11, 2025
Contact: Fire Use Subcommittee
Wildland Fire Module Unit

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430 standardizes procedures and expectations for Wildland Fire Modules (WFMs). These standards are to be used by staff, supervisors, specialists, and technicians for planning, administering, and conducting WFM operations. These standards will also be used as a measure of WFM qualifications, capabilities, and expected performance, for both Type 1 and Type 2 WFMs.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

NEW! NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

Date: March 7, 2025
Contact: National Interagency Aviation Committee

The NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating airtankers on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508, and any applicable agency plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514