32 Pa. Stat. § 425.4

Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-95

Section 425.4 - Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Department." The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources of the Commonwealth.

"National Wildfire Coordinating Group." The organization comprised of representatives from Federal and State Government agencies which has developed formal standards and programs addressing wildland fire, including training, equipment and operational requirements for the appropriate use of prescribed burns.

"Prescribed burn" or "prescribed burning." The planned and controlled application of fire to existing vegetative fuels:

(1) Under specified environmental conditions and following appropriate precautionary measures, in order to accomplish one or more specific land management objectives, including, but not limited to, vegetative fuel reduction, silvicultural treatments, wildlife habitat improvement and management of grassland and other plant communities.

(2) Conducted in compliance with a written prescribed burn plan and under the supervision of a prescribed burn manager.

"Prescribed burn manager." An individual who successfully completes and maintains the level of training and experience required by the State Forester to review and approve a prescribed burn plan and supervise a prescribed burn.

"Prescribed burn plan." A written plan reviewed and approved by a prescribed burn manager that includes measurable criteria to:

(1) Define the conditions for starting, controlling and extinguishing a prescribed burn for a specified area or multiple units within an area.

(2) Guide the selection of appropriate management responses.

(3) Indicate other required action.

The plan may include information relating to burn duration, smoke management, fuel and weather prescriptions, notification of adjacent landowners, safety contingencies and other relevant factors.

"Prescribed burn worker." An individual who works under the direct supervision of a prescribed burn manager.

"Standards." The prescribed burn standards developed under section 5 .

32 P.S. § 425.4

2009, July 14, P.L. 76, No. 17, § 4, imd. effective.