Loess Canyon Firebreak Specifications - August 15, 2021
Live Eastern Red Cedar trees- There must be a minimum of a 150’ wide swath on the internal part of the burn unit (from fire line into the unit) that is free of cedar trees along the entire perimeter of the burn unit. Requiring a 300’ distance, if possible, on the downwind side of the burn unit.
Cutting and Stuffing cedar trees- Cutting and stuffing must not be done within 300’ of the fire line, inside or out.
Red Slash piles- All slash piles must be a least 300’ inside the burn unit, or 200’ outside the unit. Branches and single trees must be at least 100’ from the perimeter of the burn unit, inside or out.
Standing dead cedar trees- All “red” standing dead trees (with dead scales) within 200’ of the burn line, inside or out, must be removed.
Tree mulching near fire line- Trees must not be mulched within 50’ of the fire line, inside or out. Small cedars can be mulched beyond 50’ of the fire line, any cedars above 3’ should be removed to meet the 150’ wide swath requirement.
Mow line- A minimum distance of 20’ mow line with mowed grass thrown to the outside away from standing fuel load to be burned, or swathed and baled.
Disk line- A minimum distance of 40’ disk line is required in farmable ground, if possible, to do so.
**A soft cut-off date of February 1st, and a hard cut-off date of March 1st be set for all burn units to be ready to burn for the spring burn season. May 1st cut-off date for all Growing Season and Fall burn unit.
**These are minimum guidelines and actual firebreak preparation is at the discretion of the burn planner, burn association representatives, and burn boss. Landscapes with rugged canyons and heavy fuels such as cedar trees may require greater firebreak specification.
**If concerns are expressed that the burn unit does not meet the burn line specifications as stated above the inspection committee, burn boss and landowner will meet prior to burning the unit to discuss those concerns brought to attention. A majority vote will decide to continue or postpone that unit until the issues have been resolved.