Prescribed Burning (sometimes called controlled or broadcast burning) is a controlled application of fire to landscape to meet management objectives such as:

• Reduce wildfire hazards
• Clear downed trees
• Control plant disease
• Improve rangeland and wildlife habitat
• Restore natural ecosystems

Active Prescribed Burns/Projects

The NCUAQMD posts information about the active, larger prescribed burns on the NCUAQMD Facebook page that have the potential to impact the public and/or may be very visible to the public.

The NCUAQMD approves prescribed burn projects by first reviewing and approving Smoke Management Plans (SMPs).  After the NCUAQMD approves all the burn planning requirements, the burner obtains a final air district authorization for the day of the burn.  Prescribed burns may range from small piles or acreage burns to large acreage burns on private or public lands that may be very visible to the public. 

For daily information about current prescribed burn projects, download the CARB California Smoke Spotter app.  The Smoke Spotter app is a relatively new tool developed by CARB to help California residents find information about prescribed burns in their area, and to help educate the public on prescribed fire and how to prepare for any smoke impacts.

The Smoke Spotter App obtains data from the CARB Prescribed Fire Information Reporting System (PFIRS) database.  PFIRS was developed and maintained by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). It is a tool used by air districts, land management agencies, and individuals who conduct prescribed burning in California.

 For more information about Prescribed Fires, see the Prescribed Fire: Managing Risk & Restoring California's Landscape booklet by the Forest Management Task Force.