Prescribed burning, or controlled burning, is the planned and carefully managed use of fire by trained personnel to achieve land and resource objectives such as reducing wildfire risk, improving habitat, supporting agricultural operations, and maintaining healthy vegetation. These burns fall under our Air District’s Agricultural Burn Program but are distinguished by their intentional planning and use for broader vegetation and wildland management purposes, typically involving a public agency or through an agreement with a public agency.
Getting a Prescribed Burn Permit
Step 1: Submit a Smoke Management Plan (SMP)
Submit your SMP through the California Air Resources Board's Prescribed Fire Information Reporting System (PFIRS).
- Please submit your SMP at least five business days prior to the desired burn date.
- Complete all PFIRS fields, including identification of any secondary or tertiary air districts, to help speed up the Air District review.
Step 2: Provide any additional required documents
Step 3: District Review
District staff will review your SMP within two business days. In many cases, additional details or corrections are needed, so please plan ahead and allow time to make any updates before your SMP can be approved.
Once your SMP is approved and all required documents from Step 2 have been submitted, the Air District will issue a Prescribed Fire Special Permit.
Please remember that all prescribed burns must receive authorization from Sac Metro Air District staff before ignition.
Next steps:
- Submit ignition request through PFIRS at least 48 hours in advance of desired burn date.
- On the day of the burn, check the burn day status, call (279) 972-BURN(2876)
- Submit a completed acreage report when the burn is complete.
