Prescribed burns require extensive planning that can take months or years. Before ignition, crews evaluate weather, vegetation, and air quality; survey for sensitive wildlife and rare plants; and prepare fire breaks, control lines, and safety zones. Burns are scheduled only when conditions allow smoke to disperse safely, and each project must be approved by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and local fire authorities.
On the day of the burn, conditions must meet the exact parameters of the approved prescription. A custom forecast from the National Weather Service and a small test fire confirm whether it is safe to proceed. Following ignition, fire personnel patrol the site for days or weeks to ensure the fire remains fully contained.