Down East NC Prescribed Burn Association

“The General Assembly finds that prescribed burning of forestlands is a management tool that is beneficial to North Carolina's public safety, forest and wildlife resources, environment, and economy.”

-Article 80, North Carolina Prescribed Burning Act

Becoming a NC Certified Burner is not hard to do, and by doing so you also receive protection from certain liabilities when practicing fire use in a responsible manor. The North Carolina Forest Service, along with it’s partners, offers a short, hand on training course to bring you the knowledge and tools to meet all aspects of the NC Prescribed Burning Act. You don’t have to do it alone. We’re there to work with you on your own property to implement your first certification burn, and to help you build confidence to- burn better smarter.

Registration opens August 1st for the Fall 2025 NC Certified Burner Course!

Scheduled October 20th - 23rd

All 2025 Certified Burner classes will be delivered through a combination of virtual classroom sessions and in-person group field activities. Topics to be covered include North Carolina’s Prescribed Burn Act, weather, fuels, topography, fire danger rating, managing smoke, firing techniques and burn plans. Participants will need suitable hardware for virtual learning environments, i.e., laptop or tablet, microphone, as well as reliable high-speed internet. A $25 fee will be collected before the course begins.