Down East NC Prescribed Burn Association
Letter from the Coordinator…
January, 2026
Every day is a burn day? That phrase has been used within the prescribed fire community for some time now. It implies that today we should be out in the field, with a drip torch in hand, watching good fire move through the woods. That would certainly make for a good day, however that’s not entirely what it refers to. Yes, first and foremost it refers to the fact that we should be on the lookout for burn opportunities in the extended forecast and take advantage of those days. Even if the weather forecast isn’t perfect now; remember it’s just a forecast. Actual conditions that day may vary, and might just vary in your favor.
In reality though, implementing the burn itself is the easy part, and here’s where “every day is a burn day” also applies. Planning, preparation, educating, and communicating the burn project takes a tremendous amount of time. There’s a burn plan to write, maps to be made, fuel breaks to lay out. Do the burn objectives line up with your management plan? Does it align with planned timber harvest or thinning? Does it match the time of year that targets the wildlife you’re managing for? Lots of research, discussion, and coordination obviously must take place. Now factor in any potential cost-share or funding application process and you may have to invest even more time.
So maybe every day just might be a burn day. Rather than focus on the end result, focus on the process. Invest in the project planning phases and be proactive well enough in advance so there’s no rush or pressure to take additional risk when the weather, conditions, and timing are just right. Make every day a burn day.
-Derrick
Derrick Moore
Coordinator, Down East PBA
Letter from the Coordinator…
December, 2025
There’s been a notable shift in fire ecology on the southeastern landscape, one that I’ve fully noticed only in the past year. The presence of Prescribed Burn Associations and the momentum with which they are making an impact is impressive. Targeted for the private landowner and manager, PBAs have the fortunate ability to apply proven, professional fire science and practices, without the burden of agency administration to maintain. I believe this is the fundamental mechanism that has allowed the success of many prescribed burn associations across the country. PBA members are doers, and that horsepower, coupled with the knowledge of good fire practices, gets things done. The fire doesn’t care whose land it’s on.
Within the Down East PBA, there are two key aspects we focus on. First, qualifying new NC Certified Burners by allowing landowners and land managers to learn and work one-on-one with agency professionals to build the confidence they need to practice prescribed fire on their lands. And second, creating a “burn better smarter” approach by further developing the skills and abilities of our Certified Burners to a professional level that can implement more complex prescribed fire opportunities. In addition, fire alone can only achieve so much. Fire, coupled with sound forestry, wildlife, and soil management practices, creates exponential gains in total land management. The Down East PBA works to connect the right people with the right resources to accomplish those tasks.
I’ve worked in wildland fire for over 30 years, with both state and federal governments, in many states across the country. I’ve had the pleasure of implementing prescribed burns across many fuel types and landscapes in those capacities. It’s now a humble privilege to begin a new and different approach to fire management. Let’s see what we can do together.
-Derrick