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Prescribed Burn Contractor Databases

Many states in the South provide online vendor databases for prescribed burning either on the state forestry agency website, or through the Prescribed Fire Council. On these sites, prescribed burn contractors can add their business to a list where private landowners can then search the database to find a contractor who offers prescribed burning in their area.

Some of the databases were developed as tools to assist landowners in finding forest management related service providers for implementation of  a variety of forestry practices, including prescribed burning. In other cases, the databases are specific to just prescribed burning. Also, in some states each vendor has successfully completed a state-sponsored burn planning/implementing training course, passed a reference check, provided proof of insurance, and/or a resume of prescribed fire experience, whereas in other states any vendor can add themselves to a list without having to provide proof of relevant experience.

It is important for landowners seeking a burn contractor from one of the sites below understand that most lists are provided solely as a courtesy to landowners, and that in most cases, the sites where the vendors are provided do not make any representation as to the quality of work or business practices of the firms listed.

When trying to decide if a particular service provider is for you, you should consider a few important points:

  • Compare multiple service providers, if possible. Depending on the number of vendors in your area, this may be difficult.
  • If you live in a state that provides Burn Manager Certification, request a copy of their Certification.
  • Request a list of 3-4 references, and then call them to get a feel for the quality of work they provide.
  • Request a copy of their insurance policy, and make sure their policy is current and covers the activities that they will be doing for you.
  • Request a copy of a completed burn plan to ensure that is includes the basic information such as objectives, contingencies, maps, etc. You can typically find more information on what to expect in a burn plan on your state forestry agency website.
  • You may want to have an attorney review any contracts or agreements before you sign such documents.

Some states provide online vendor databases for prescribed burning. For most states, we have also compiled a list of prescribed burn contractors. Both state-maintained databases and our lists are linked below:

Alabama: The Alabama Forestry Commission provides this site, which narrows down the list of service providers available to you by first allowing you to select the county in which you want to have the work done, then by selecting from a variety of services, including fireline installation, prescribed burning, and residential Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) work. Access our Alabama prescribed burn vendors list here.

Arkansas: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division provides a place to search for forestry vendors here, however, you must click on each individual vendor to determine if they provide prescribed burning services. Access our Arkansas prescribed burn vendor list here.

Florida: The Florida Forest Service provides this web-based vendor listing as a tool to assist landowners in finding forest management related service providers for implementation of forestry practices on their land. To find a burner, choose “Vendor by Subcategory” then choose the county in which you want the work to be completed, and be sure to check the box for “Rx Burning.” Access our Florida prescribed burn vendor list here.

Georgia: The Georgia Forestry Commission provides this site to find consulting foresters and other professionals. Click the Consulting Registered Foresters link , then you can narrow your search by name and service area. All listings note whether the consulting forester is a Certified Prescribed Burner. Access our Georgia prescribed burn vendor list here.

Kentucky: The Kentucky Division of Forestry maintains a statewide, central region, and north central region vendors list. These lists do not specifically list vendors that provide prescribed burning services.

Louisiana: The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Louisiana Prescribed Burning Contractors List was compiled in 2016 and does not represent all certified prescribed burners in LA, but does represent those that indicated a willingness to discuss/conduct prescribed burning for any landowner in a given region. Access our Louisiana prescribed burn vendor list here.

Mississippi: While there is no list of vendors available online, the Mississippi Forestry Commission assists in landowner services. They encourage you to contact your local regional office at http://www.mfc.ms.gov/ to be put into contact with a prescribed burner nearest to you. Access our Mississippi prescribed burn vendor list here.

North Carolina: This North Carolina Forest Service site provides information for landowners seeking contract services, including prescribed burning. Access our North Carolina prescribed burn vendor list here.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma does not provide a vendor list at this time. In Oklahoma, burning assistance is largely available from prescribed burn associations. Access our list of Oklahoma prescribed burn associations here.

South Carolina: Although a list is available, it is not found online at this time. The South Carolina Forestry Commission does provide a list of consulting foresters, but that list does not specify those that offer prescribed burning services. Access our South Carolina prescribed burn vendor list here.

Tennessee: The Tennessee Division of Forestry provides a Cooperating Consultant Forester Directory. This directory was compiled in 2014 and does not specify vendors that provide prescribed burning services.

Texas: The Texas Department of Agriculture provides this site which lists all Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Managers that are licensed by the Department. Access our Texas prescribed burn vendor list here.

In addition, this new application connects landowners and land management service providers by helping landowners find land management service providers, and assisting service providers in aggregating land management services. If you are a landowner, click “Find Service Provider,” then “Service Provider List,” and choose your region and the type of service that you need (including prescribed burning and wildfire protection).

Virginia: The Virginia Prescribed Fire Council hosts this site for landowners to find contractors who provide prescribed burning services. Access our Virginia prescribed burn vendor list here.

Do you know of a website not shown here? Please contact jennifer_fawcett@ncsu.edu.