Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:41 AM AWST

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Conduct prescribed burning

Conduct prescribed burning

Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR407A
State Code
C9990
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
09/02/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
27/10/2008
Field of Education
039905 - Fire Technology
Original Release Date
27/10/2008
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers the competency for conducting a prescribed burn.This unit covers the competency for conducting a prescribed burn
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Prepare to burn
  • 1.1 Burn plan is identified in accordance with the organisational procedures and legislative requirements
  • 1.2 A contingency plan is developed based on local conditions at the time of burn and communicated to all personnel
  • 1.3 Permits are obtained in accordance with organisational procedures
  • 1.4 Burn notifications are issued in accordance with organisational procedures
  • 1.5 Resource requirements are identified
  • 1.6 Control lines are specified and prepared in accordance with organisational procedures
  • 1.7 Assets are protected in accordance with organisational procedures
  • 1.8 Weather conditions are monitored
2 Conduct burn
  • 2.1 Resources are gathered and deployed
  • 2.2 Day of burn notifications are issued
  • 2.3 Pre burn checks are conducted
  • 2.4 Lighting is conducted in accordance with plan or organisational procedures
  • 2.5 Burning is monitored and operational changes are made as required
  • 2.6 Records are kept in accordance with organisational procedures
  • 2.7 Burn operations are concluded
3 Conduct post burn activities
  • 3.1 Outcomes of the burn are assessed and reported
  • 3.2 Variations from the burn plan are reported in accordance with organisational procedures
  • 3.3 Restoration and rehabilitation is carried out in accordance with organisational requirements
Assets to be protected
buildings
historic relics
camp or recreational areas
utilities (power and telephone lines, water supply structures, communications towers)
research plots, reference areas
area of rare or sensitive flora and fauna
crops
plantations
other property

Notifications may be given to persons or organisations who
have an interest in the area to be burned
have an interest in adjacent land to which a burn could spread
have an interest in managing the consequences of a burn
have an interest in specific assets
may be concerned by evidence of a burn

Notification plans are required for
private land
public land

Weather conditions to be monitored
temperature, relative humidity, wind, atmospheric stability

Resources may include
experienced crew for ground ignition, trained navigators, bombardiers for aerial ignition, equipment and supplies, tankers, other vehicles, equipment, back-up, logistical support.

Lighting techniques and patterns may include
ignition method
lighting pattern
ignition spacing

Burn operations may include
low intensity burns
high intensity burns

Monitoring of burning may include
observations
predictions
recording
fuel moisture content
wind speed and direction
flame height
rate of spread
smoke development

Conclusion of burning operations
patrol or burn area
mop up
black out

Contingency plans for escapes include
reasons for escape
special resources/secondary control lines
command structure

Local conditions at time of burn may include
wind strength and direction
temperature
changes in conditions
anticipated changes

Restoration and rehabilitation may be required for
control lines
vehicle tracks
areas disturbed by tracked machinery
revegetating damaged areas
repairing fences
Critical aspects of evidence
It is essential for this unit that competence is demonstrated in:
the preparation of burn plans for a designated area
the effective conduct of a burn, utilising the appropriate resources and record action taken
follow up activities once the burn is completed

Interdependent assessment of units
Pre-requisite units:
PUAFIR303A Suppress wildfire
Co-requisite units:
Nil

Underpinning knowledge
legislative, organisational policy and procedures for conducting a prescribed burn
types of prescribed burns
seasonal restrictions on prescribed burns
authorisations required for conducting a burn
high and low intensity prescribed burns
ignition patterns and techniques
developing a prescription
resource requirements
procedures for monitoring prescribed burns and securing burn area

Underpinning skills
developing a prescribed burn
conducting high and low intensity prescribed burns
establishing control lines for prescribed burns
developing a contingency plan
monitoring the burn
undertaking patrol activities

Resource implications
Access to a range of controlled or simulated fires
Lighting equipment

Consistency of performance
Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.

Context of assessment
Evidence of competence may be demonstrated on the job and/or in a simulated environment.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
D3770 PUAFIR407B Conduct prescribed burning Unit of competency
No information