The Ohio Prescribed Fire Council held another Annual Meeting, the first since 2019, on December 5th, 2023 at the Ohio Fire Academy in Reynoldsburg. There were 3 main invited speakers (see agenda below and program via link) and a panel discussion. We had 13 sponsors who supported the meeting and our upcoming OPFC activities for the next year. Between speakers and attendees, we had almost 100 people at the meeting which was an excellent turnout. Results of the survey that was sent to attendees will help us plan events for the coming year.
Thank you to all those who attended and to the great speakers! We are pleased to see so many people interested in prescribed fire. We look forward to offering more workshops in 2024, as we were able to host 3 workshops in 2023.
AGENDA: 9:30-10:00 am Registration & refreshments
10:00-10:15 am Welcome, John Watts, OPFC Chair
10:15-11:15 am KEYNOTE: Fire Season Phenology - Applying Fire Science to Open the Burn Window,Jack McGowan-Stinski, Program Manager, Lakes States Fire Science Consortium
11:15-11:30 am Update on Ohio’s Rules and Regulations, Step Grants Greg Guess, Deputy Director, Ohio Division of Forestry
11:30-12:15 pm Burning in Ohio’s Oak Forests,Roger Williams, Associate Professor of Forestry and Ecosystem Analysis and Management, The Ohio State University
12:15–1:00 pm LUNCH
1:00-2:00 pm Restoration by Fire,Nate Simons, Executive Director, Blue Heron Ministries, Inc.
2:00–2:15 pm Break
2:15-3:15 pm Panel Discussion, with interactive “Menti Surveying” Grace Dietsch, Regional Manager of Conservation, Five Rivers Metro Parks
3:15-3:30 pm Summary and Adjourn
View the program and meeting sponsors HERE. Additional sponsors included The Nature Conservancy and T&R Wildland Management.
OPFC WORKSHOP Hosted by the Ohio Chapter of the Wildlife Society "Beginners Prescribed Fire Workshop" Wednesday, October 4th, 2023 9:00am-4:00pm Delaware Wildlife Area Education Building at Shooting Range 1110 State Route 229, Ashley
JOIN WEEKLY CALLS ABOUT CURRENT PRESCRIBED FIRES IN OHIO
Did you know that OPFC hosts weekly check-in calls during the spring and fall burn seasons?
What: round-robin updates from attendees on what they or their agencies are planning for burning in the next 1-2 weeks, and a chance to ask questions or share resources with the larger fire community within Ohio.
Who: Open to any fire practitioners within Ohio. Government agencies, metro parks, land trusts, non-profits, and private contractors are welcome.
When: Fall 2023 session, 9-9:30AM Monday mornings.
If you’re interested in attending, please e-mail Michael Hall at Michael.hall@tnc.org to ask to be added to the meeting invite. Please use “OPFC weekly call request” in your subject line, and include your company, organization, or agency name in the email body.
Prescribed Fire STEP Grants from the ODNR Division of Forestry will be available in 2023.
Prescribed Fire STEP grants are cost share (50/50) reimbursement grants focused on supporting Ohio land management agencies by helping them to build and expand their prescribed fire programs. Eligible applicants include local government agencies, state government agencies, metropark agencies, county park agencies, park districts, and non-profit land management entities. Items that grant recipients may purchase through the STEP grant program include prescribed fire supplies, personal protective equipment, radios, tools, repair parts, weather data devices, pumps, signage/education materials, etc. The maximum grant reimbursement is $4,000 per program. These grants are available through the ODNR Division of Forestry, forestry.ohiodnr.gov. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: December 15th, 2023 Questions: contact Aaron Kloss (aaron.kloss@dnr.ohio.gov)
Division of Forestry Certified Prescribed Fire Manager Training coming up on October 23-26th, 2023
The DOF prescribed fire manager training will be held at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park this October. Registration for the course will open here on Friday, October 6th,but only approved participants may register. Fee will be $110.
Applicants must apply through the Division of Forestry. The course is limited to 30 pre-approved participants. Any questions? Contact Us via our website.
--------- OPFC plans to resume its prescribed fire workshops in 2023 to help land managers and landowners learn more about prescribed burning techniques and prepare for upcoming DOF certified prescribed fire manager courses.
Last OPFC Annual Meeting was in 2019 View the agenda HERE. Photos below, held at Ohio Fire Academy
OPFC BANDANA AVAILABLE NOW Donation of $7 requested
The $7.00 donation per bandana includes shipping & handling. The bandana measures 20.5 in x 20.5 in.
Makes a great gift! Can be used on prescribed burns!
CONTACT US if you would like to order one or more bandanas.