Does California Do Controlled Burns? CAL FIRE Policies and How They Work

What Is a Controlled Burn & Why It’s Used in California

Does California do controlled burns? Yes. CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service, tribal fire practitioners, and local partners conduct prescribed burns to intentionally remove dead vegetation, dense brush, and other wildfire fuels under carefully controlled conditions.

Prescribed fire reduces the amount of fuel that would otherwise feed a wildfire, lowering fire intensity and improving the chance crews can control future ignitions. These burns also restore fire-dependent ecosystems and support native plant and animal communities. While smoke is a short-term tradeoff, planned burns are carried out to reduce the risk of larger, uncontrolled wildfires.

Controlled vs. Prescribed vs. Cultural Burns

A controlled burn is a general term for any intentionally managed fire used for fuel reduction, vegetation management, or training. Controlled burns can be performed by agencies, private landowners, or ranchers with the appropriate permits and safety measures in place.

Prescribed burns are planned operations that follow a written prescription listing objectives, acceptable weather windows, smoke management parameters, contingency plans, and monitoring protocols. CAL FIRE and the U.S. Forest Service most often organize prescribed burns for landscape-scale fuel management and habitat restoration.

Cultural burns are conducted by Indigenous communities using traditional ecological knowledge and techniques. Cultural burning is increasingly recognized and coordinated with state and federal agencies as a vital part of restoring healthy landscapes and reducing catastrophic fire risk.

Who Approves and Oversees Burns in California?

Prescribed burning is tightly regulated to protect people, property, and air quality. Several entities play distinct roles:

• CAL FIRE & State Responsibility Areas (SRAs) - In State Responsibility Areas, CAL FIRE leads many prescribed fire projects. Local CAL FIRE units develop burn plans and authorize ignition only when all safety and environmental criteria are met, including staffing, equipment, and weather thresholds.
   

• U.S. Forest Service (USFS) - The USFS coordinates burns on federal lands, particularly in higher-elevation forests and national parks. Federal prescribed fire programs often involve multi-year planning and large-scale implementation.
   

• Tribal Governments & Cultural Fire Councils - Tribes conduct cultural burns on ancestral lands and increasingly partner with CAL FIRE and other agencies to align traditional practices with permitting and safety requirements.
   

• Local Fire Safe Councils & Air Quality Districts - Local councils, county fire authorities, and regional air districts ensure community notification, manage smoke impacts, and enforce local regulations for burn activities.

How to Find Scheduled Burns and Verify Maps

If you see smoke nearby, these sources help you determine whether it’s a planned burn or an active wildfire emergency.

• CAL FIRE’s Prescribed Burns Map - CAL FIRE publishes prescribed-burn information and incident updates on its official site.  The map legend specifically defines "Prescribed Fire" as a category, helping you differentiate prescribed burns from wildfires or other incidents.Check the agency’s map and incident pages to confirm location and expected duration before calling emergency services for smoke that’s part of a verified burn. 

• County & Air Quality Calendars - Regional Air Quality Management Districts and county websites often post local burn schedules and burn-day notifications. Subscribe to alerts from your county or air district to receive same-day notices.
   

• “Prescribed Burn Near Me” Tools - Public platforms and apps compile interagency incident data. Use the National Interagency Fire Center resources, Watch Duty-type services, or local trackers. WSS’s article about wildfire California maps also lists verified planned burns alongside active wildfire incidents.
  
   

Benefits and Risks of Prescribed Fire

Benefits

• Fuel reduction: Prescribed fire removes surface fuels that feed large wildfires.
• Ecosystem restoration: Many native species require periodic fire for regeneration.
• Long-term air quality improvements: Reducing the potential for megafires reduces the chance of massive smoke events in the future.

Risks

• Smoke impacts: Planned burns produce smoke that can affect sensitive populations. Follow air-quality guidance when smoke is present.
• Escape risk: Rarely, changing weather can cause a burn to exceed control lines. This is why contingency crews and suppression resources are staged prior to ignition.
• Visibility hazards: Drivers should obey signage and slow down in areas with reduced visibility.

Safety Protocols

Prescribed burns proceed only after pre-burn inspections, establishment of firelines, onsite suppression resources, and continuous weather monitoring. Crews perform mop-up and patrol until the area is secure.

What Homeowners Should Do Before or During a Nearby Burn

Before the Burn

Sign up for local CAL FIRE alerts and your county’s emergency notifications. Close windows and HVAC intakes if smoke is forecasted. Make sure pets and people with respiratory conditions have a clean-air plan.

During the Burn

Monitor official updates via CAL FIRE and authorized incident pages. Stay indoors if smoke is heavy and avoid outdoor exercise. Only call 911 if the fire appears uncontrolled or poses an immediate threat to life or property.

After the Burn

Wait for officials to confirm it is safe before entering recently burned areas. Clean ash using damp cloths instead of dry sweeping, and continue to maintain defensible space around your home.

How Prescribed Fire Fits into Wildfire Prevention

Prescribed fire is one tool among many. CAL FIRE’s broader strategy includes mechanical thinning, grazing, fuel breaks, defensible space programs, and building-code improvements to harden homes.

To strengthen your household readiness, see our Defensible Space & Home Hardening Guide and the Evacuation Preparedness Checklist. For statewide prevention context, read How Can California Prevent Wildfires.

Where to Get Updates or Report Concerns

Real-Time Information

Check CAL FIRE’s incident pages and unit social channels for verified updates. WSS’s Wildfire Map California aggregates verified incidents and planned burns for quick reference.

Report Concerns

Contact your local CAL FIRE unit for questions about planned burns. For smoke complaints, contact your regional Air Quality Management District. If you suspect a burn has escaped containment, evacuate if necessary and call 911 immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does California still do controlled burns?

Yes. CAL FIRE and partners regularly conduct prescribed and cultural burns to reduce wildfire risk and restore landscapes.

How can I find out if a burn is happening near me today?

Check CAL FIRE’s prescribed burn pages, your county’s burn calendar, local air district notifications, or WSS’s Wildfire Map California.

Who decides when a prescribed burn can proceed?

Burns are approved by the implementing agency (CAL FIRE, USFS, or tribal authority) and must meet strict weather, staffing, and smoke-management criteria before ignition.

Is it safe to live near a controlled burn?

Planned burns are conducted under controlled conditions with suppression resources onsite. Residents should stay informed and follow air-quality guidance when smoke is present.

What should I do if I see smoke and I’m not sure it’s a prescribed burn?

Check verified incident maps and local notifications first. If you believe the fire threatens life or property, evacuate and call 911.

Prescribed Burns vs Wildfires

Prescribed Burns Are Planned. Wildfires Are Not.

While prescribed burns are coordinated, staffed, and monitored to ensure safety, California residents also face unplanned wildfires that behave very differently.

If an uncontrolled fire is approaching your area, evacuation is always the safest option. Keep your go-bag ready, know alternate routes, and leave immediately when directed by officials.

In the rare scenario where a wildfire blocks all escape routes, a rigorously tested last-resort refuge like FORT™ becomes an essential layer of protection. It supports your overall readiness plan, but it is never a replacement for early evacuation.