The Type 3 Burn Boss is used under specific circumstances. It is a TNC-specific position in that it differs significantly in the prerequisites as compared to many federal agency RxB3 positions. Fire Managers have the authority to determine which burns may be conducted by an RxB3, provided they meet the criteria below.

The RxB3 designation is intended for those working on dissected landscapes where there is an abundance of small, isolated fire dependent natural areas. Typically, these sites exist in rural locations with low population in the surrounding areas, structures are infrequent, and chance of a large scale wildfire is minimal.

The RxB3 position is not required to achieve RxB2 or any other position qualification.

An RxB3 may only implement prescribed fires that meet the following conditions:

• the Fire Manager has approved the burn plan and the RxB3 for the specific burn unit
• the burn has been rated as low complexity by the TNC complexity analysis, with the following specific limitations:
  • the first four elements of the complexity analysis (safety, difficulty of containment, fuels and fire behavior, and wildland/urban interface) are rated no higher than 2
  • the remaining elements of the complexity analysis are rated no higher than 3
• if using the NWCG complexity analysis no element may rank higher than '"low"
• the burn plan limits the prescription parameters to those that make the possibility of spread or spotting outside the project area negligible. Favorable conditions include those burn parameters that would maximize ability to control the prescribed fire and the ability to control spot fire or escapes.
• no aerial ignition
• burn units on private property must have the standard TNC waivers attached to the burn plan

Low complexity burns approved for an RxB2 are not automatically approved for an RxB3. Burn units with multiple fuel models will be allowed at the discretion of the Fire Manager. An RxB3 cannot make field modifications to a burn unit plan without direct approval from their respective Fire Manager.

Responsibility and Authority of RxB3

• directs prescribed fire operations on some low complexity burns at the approval of the Fire Manager
• coordinates fire suppression activities if necessary
• may develop Prescribed Burn Unit Plans and Site Fire Management Plans
• responsible for safe and effective fire operations
• may assist an RxB2 in training and organizing crew and help with annual refresher
• evaluates trainees at SRB level or lower; initials tasks in task books

The minimum training requirements for TNC RxB3 exceed those required by most federal agencies in terms of position qualifications, training, and fire experience.

Position requirements to qualify as an RXB3 trainee:

• Single Resource Boss: Firing Boss plus an additional SRB (for the Conservancy, usually an Engine Boss)
• Firefighter Type 1/Squad Boss
• Firefighter Type 2

Minimum total experience required to obtain RxB3 qualification:

• Participation in a total of at least 20 wildland fires (prescribed and wildfire accepted), 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 Type 2 or Type 1
• Successful completion of the RxB3 task book

Minimum total training required to obtain RxB3 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
• RT-130 Annual Fireline Safety Refresher

Suggested additional training includes:

• S-234 Ignition Operations
• Rx310 Introduction to Fire Effects
• Crew Boss Academy (The Academy includes many of the required classes listed above. These may be taken through any agency offering, but the Conservancy's Crew Boss Academy is the preferred training for fulfilling those requirements.)

How to Be Designated a TNC RxB3

The Fire Manager has the final authority and responsibility for signing the agency certification page on the RXB3 task book and designating an individual as a TNC Burn Boss Type 3. 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 RxB3 does not automatically qualify and give a person authority to conduct prescribed burns. The designation will depend on the recommendations from fellow burners and careful evaluation of leadership qualities by the Fire Manager. If an RxB3 moves to another program, he or she 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.

A person qualified by a federal agency as an RxB3 is not necessarily qualified as a TNC RxB3 because of the Conservancy's higher training standard. The agency RxB3 must meet the additional requirements.

Under no circumstances should any Conservancy staff, volunteer, 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.