The Burn Boss directs prescribed fire operations and oversees training and qualifications of crew members at the local level.

Responsibility and Authority of RXB2

• directs prescribed fire operations
• coordinates fire suppression activities
• may develop or review Prescribed Burn Unit Plans and Site Fire Management Plans
• has authority to implement approved Prescribed Burn Unit Plans
• responsible for safe and effective fire operations
• administers physical fitness testing
• trains and organizes crew; conducts annual refresher
• maintains documentation files of crew member training and qualifications
• evaluates trainees; initials tasks in task books
• certifies task books for positions up to RxB2, with the exception of RxB3

Qualification, Training and Experience Requirements

The minimum training requirements for TNC Burn Boss exceed those outlined in PMS 310-1 in terms of total burn experience and training.

Position requirements to qualify as an RXB2 trainee:

• Incident Commander Type 4
• Single Resource Boss: Firing Boss plus an additional SRB which fulfills the requirement for ICT4 (for the Conservancy, usually an Engine Boss)
• Firefighter Type 1/Squad Boss
• Firefighter Type 2

Minimum total experience required to obtain Burn boss qualification:

• Participation in a total of at least 20 prescribed burns, whose primary purpose is not training
• Three successful assignments as a trainee burn boss, under the direct supervision and tutelage of a qualified Burn Boss

Minimum training required to obtain Burn Boss qualification:

• S-130/S190 Basic Firefighter and Introduction to Fire Behavior
• L-180 Human Factors on the Fireline (included in S-130)
• I-100 Introduction to ICS
• S-131 Advanced Firefighter
• S-133 Look Up, Look Down, Look Around
• S-200 Initial Attack Incident Commander
• S-230 Crew Boss
• Engine Academy, or equivalent
• S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior
• S-390 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations
• Rx-300/Workshop on Ecological Burning
• RT-130 Annual Fireline Safety Refresher

Training is an on-going process, and should not conclude with designation as a burn boss. There are many NWCG, state, and private courses which may benefit a burn boss or burn boss trainee in a particular situation. A few of these include:

• Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) training
• Local state forestry wildland fire training courses
• S-234 Ignition Operations
• I-200 Basic ICS
• Rx-310 Introduction to Fire Effects
• Rx-410 Smoke Management
• S-490 Advanced Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations
• Rx-510 Advanced Fire Effects

How to Be Designated a TNC Burn Boss

The Fire Manager has the final authority and responsibility for signing the agency certification page on the RXB2 task book and designating an individual as a TNC Burn Boss. The designation must be made in writing with a memo or letter signed by the Fire Manager, and a copy sent to the Fire Management Coordinator. Meeting all of the above standards for Burn Boss does not automatically qualify and give you authority to conduct prescribed burns. Your designation will depend on the recommendations from fellow burners and careful evaluation of your leadership qualities by your Fire Manager. You may be restricted to burning in certain fuel types and at specific sites. If you move to another program, you must be redesignated by that program’s Fire Manager. In order to maintain currency, the burn boss must serve in that role at least once every five years.

Under no circumstances should any Conservancy Representative or contractee conduct a burn for which he/she has not been approved in writing as a qualified Burn Boss.

If a Burn Boss shows persistent deficiencies in fulfilling this role, the Fire Manager may conduct a review of that person's qualification status. TNC Burn Boss status may be permanently or temporarily revoked.

Last updated April 30, 2008.