2015 Certified Burner Courses in the Southeast

It’s early in the year, but it’s never too early to start thinking about becoming a Certified burner. Several states have already announced their 2015 Certified Burner course dates (and some states have even already held a few courses)!

If you would like to become a Certified prescribed burner, you will need to complete a Certified prescribed burner training course (at a minimum) for the state in which you intend to conduct your burning. Be aware that some states may have additional requirements beyond the training course, such as participating in live burns or preparing a burn plan.

Since many prescribed burners cross state lines when burning, you may be interested in becoming Certified in multiple states. This is a possibility, however, it may not be necessary. Did you know that some states include reciprocity with neighboring states? If you are already a Certified burner in your state, you may first want to check with the other state forestry agency for the state in which you wish to burn to see if they recognize reciprocity with your state.

Below is a list of the 2015 Certification courses throughout the Southeastern states. Because there are usually only a few courses offered per state each year, be sure to plan ahead and register early!

Please check back frequently, as this list will be updated as new courses are scheduled. You may also check with your state forestry agency for possible additional dates that may not be included on this list.

VIRGINIA: TBA

NORTH CAROLINA:

April 22-23, 2015                                                                                                                                      Moore County Extension Office, Carthage, NC                                                                               Details can be seen here.  Please click here to register by 5pm on April 6th.

October 2015                                                                                                                                          NC Prescribed Fire Training Center, Montgomery Community College, Troy, NC  (full registration details will be posted here when finalized)

SOUTH CAROLINA:

Thursday, March 5, 2015           FULL  Columbia, SC

October – December (exact dates TBA)

GEORGIA:

More information about the Certification Training can be found here.April 15 – 16, 2015 – information and registration University of North Georgia, Dahlonega GA Contact: Brooke Smith, 706-867-2736 September 16 – 17, 2015 – information and registration Georgia Southern University, Statesboro GA Contact: Judy Hendrix-Poole, 912-478-5993 November 17 – 18, 2015 – information and registration University of Georgia Campus, Tifton GA Contact: Renae Woods, 229-386-3416  

FLORIDA:

Certified Burner Correspondence Course (web-based): Year-Round.                                         Find more details on the online course here.

Classroom version: Dates and more details can be found here

January-February 2015                                                                                                                         Courses CLOSED

April 20-23, 2015                                                                                                                                     Withlacoochee Training Center, Brooksville

ALABAMA:

Full details and registration information for both the Certification Courses and the Re-Certification Workshops can be found here.

AL Certification Courses:                                                                                                                       July – September, 2015 (Dates TBA)

AL Re-certification Workshops:                                                                                                         August- September (Dates TBA)

MISSISSIPPI:

April 14-16, 2015                                                                                                                                     Hilton Garden Inn, Starkville, MS

October 6-8, 2015                                                                                                                                      Pearl River Community College, Woodall Technology Center, Hattiesburg, MS

For additional information and registration form, click here.  For more information, contact Jeff Ware, MFC Safety/Training Director at (662) 401-8067 or jware@mfc.state.ms.us.

LOUISIANA:

May 7-9, 2015                                                                                                                                    War Memorial Civic Center, 250 West 7th St., DeRidder, LA

For more information, please contact Keith Hawkins, County Agent, 337-463-7006.

TENNESSEE:

February 11-12, 2015                                                                                                                               Tennessee Fire Service & Codes Enforcement Academy near Bell Buckle.

For more information on the course, please contact Robin Bible at (615) 837-5537 or by email at Robin.Bible@tn.gov.

TEXAS:

Red Buffalo: Dates TBA

Texas A&M Agrilife                                                                                                                       February 19-21, 2015                                                                                                                         Prescribed Burning School                                                                                                                  Sonora Research Station

March 5-7, 2015                                                                                                                                    Advanced Prescribed Burning School
Sonora Research Station
                                  For more information, contact Ray Hinnant at (979) 820-1778 or visit agrilife.org/arm and download the 2014-2015 registration form.

To learn more about the Certified Prescribed Burn Manager program in your state, visit your state forestry website or visit the Southern Fire Exchange Education & Training page for Certified Burn Manager Program information by state.

Questions about this post or have an addition? Contact Jennifer Evans, Extension Associate, NCSU (jlevans3@ncsu.edu).