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NATIVE PRAIRIE CONTROLLED BURN
SITE PRESCRIPTION AND PERMIT APPLICATION
Applicant Name:
Mailing Address:
Telephone #:
Date of Application:
This form is intended to provide a detailed format and set of standards for performing a safe
and effective controlled native prairie burn. Please complete this form in as much detail as
possible. Photographs may be included to help describe adjoining properties and other
physical conditions of the landscape.
SITE DESCRIPTION AND EVALUATION INFORMATION SECTION:
IFC 307.3 Location. The location for open burning shall not be less than 50 feet from any
structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet of
any structure.
Location of Site:
Street Address:
Name Nearest Crossing Streets:
Nearest Fire Station:
Station 1 - 410 E. Washington Street
Station 2 - 301 Emerald Street
Station 3 - 2001 Lower Muscatine Road
Fire Station 4 - 2008 Dubuque Road
Size of Planned Burn Area:
Condition of Adjoining Properties (i.e. mowed lawn, vegetable garden, fences, shrubbery, fruit
trees, etc.). Please describe in detail:
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Names and Phone Numbers of Adjoining Property Owners: (You will be required to notify all
adjoining property owners of your intentions upon issuance of a valid permit. Burning in Iowa
City is banned, unless a valid permit is issued. Therefore, neighbors need to be informed.)
Name Address Telephone Number
Describe Objects in or Near the Site that may Present Hazards or be Damaged by Fire (i.e.
fences, utility poles, gas pipelines, buildings, etc.):
Are there Special Concerns or Considerations for the Site?
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THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL PROVIDE THE FORMAT FOR CONDUCTING
YOUR CONTROLLED BURN. The conditions agreed upon will be the only ones you will use.
If the situation does not match these factors, you must postpone the project. (Abandoning a
planned burn is preferable to conducting a burn with unsafe conditions.)
Type of Vegetation to be Burned:
Amount of Burnable Fuel:
(Light, heavy, etc. A good approach is to set a scale with 1 being sparse cover and 10 as a
very heavy, dense stand.)
Acceptable Wind Speed and Direction:
(A good burn has a steady wind, generally workable between 5-15 miles per hour.
Changeable winds or high winds reduce the ability to control fire progress.)
Humidity Expected:
(30-60% is best)
Temperature Expected:
(55 to 65 degrees F is ideal)
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Time of Day Burn will be Done:
(As mid-day approaches, morning burns become more difficult to control since relative
humidity declines as temperature increases.)
Month and Day You Would Like to Burn:
1st Choice:
2nd Choice:
3rd Choice:
Timing the burn to when the native prairie grasses are starting to green up is critical for
obtaining the most desirable response. Anticipate burning when native grasses are one to
three inches tall, usually between mid-March and early May. Burning earlier is better for
wildflowers, ground nesting birds, and insect populations.
Moisture of Site:
(Is vegetation especially moist or dry? Is the overall climate unusual, such as
experiencing a drought?)
Topographic Features:
(Does site have hills, streambanks, steep slopes, other features?)
Fires burn faster uphill than on the level and slowest when going downhill…all other
factors being the same.
Number of Crewmembers:
Assigning duties and positions is essential. DO NOT ATTEMPT A PRAIRIE BURN
ALONE.
Equipment Available:
Minimum equipment would include a motorized water sprayer, backpack pump, or
garden hose, garden and broom rakes. Personal safety equipment is needed, such as
leather gloves, eye protection, and natural fiber (cotton) long-sleeved shirt and pants.
5
Location of Water Supply Nearest Site:
What is the Goal of Doing this Burn?
On this sheet, please draw maps of the site in detail. This will help with your planning and
provide information to the Fire Department.
Burn Site Map:
6
Planned Method of Conducting Burn (show wind direction, ignition points, how site will be
isolated to prevent escape, expected direction fire will travel, etc. Try to visualize the burn on
paper):
Fires can be started with matches or lighters. [The use of flammable or combustible liquids
are strictly prohibited.] Start a fire on the downwind side, next to the fire break. Let the fire
creep upwind until there is a wide burned area. Go to the upwind side and light a fire that will
move with the wind to the backfired area, where it will go out.
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By submitting this permit request to conduct a native prairie controlled burn, I agree to assume
all responsibility for personnel safety on-site and for any property damages caused by a failure to
properly manage the burn.
Signature of Applicant: Dated:
Disposition: Approved
Denied
By: Dated:
Comments or Additional Requirements:
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THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST IS FOR THE DAY OF THE BURN. IT IS NOT
INTENDED TO COVER EVERY DETAIL, BUT TO POINT OUT SOME MAJOR
CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE STRIKING A MATCH.
SUMMARY OF PREFERRED WEATHER CONDITIONS
Wind Speed 5 to 15 mph
Relative Humidity 30 to 60%
Temperature 55 to 65 degrees F
Cloud Cover Clear
Ceiling 2,000’ or higher
Has Your Fire Department Been Notified? Emergency Communications Center, 356-5275.
Is Your Crew Available?
Have You Briefed Them?
Do You Have Adequate Equipment On-hand?
Do Weather Conditions Fit the Plan? (Be aware of frontal activity. The passage of a front can
bring a change in wind direction, gusty conditions, or a dramatic change in temperature.)
Do You Have First-aid Available?
Are Your Neighbors Notified?
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Do You Have any Backup Plans?
Is the Site Properly Isolated to Prevent Fire Escapes?
Do You Have Emergency Communications (Telephone)?
How Long do You Expect the Burn to Last?
Have You Listened to the Recent Weather Forecast?
Have You Walked Through the Site?
Will the Burn Affect any Wildlife Adversely?
Do You Have Safe Zones for Yourself and Crew?
Are There any Additional Considerations Needed?