Why Burn?

September 18, 2025 Ishani Mishra

Why Burn presents an introduction to prescribed fire. Learn about the variety of reasons for conducting prescribed burns. Listen to experts present perspectives from conservation and forestry points of view. Virtually visit with landowners as they share their reasons for conducting prescribed burns. Discover resources that can help you take action.

Indiana DNR Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Application

This is the application you must complete and submit to become a certified prescribed burn manager in Indiana. view document

Indiana DNR Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Experience Log

Use this log format to keep track of your experiences. download document

Indiana DNR-Forestry Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Guidance

This guide will outline the Training & Experience needed to be a Certified Prescribed Burn Manager (CPBM) view document

Indiana DNR Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Task Book

Individuals seeking the Indiana Certified Prescribed Burn Manager (CPBM) certification must lead two prescribed burns (one in each of the major fuel groups; grass and timber litter) as an apprentice under the supervision of an CPBM or an NWCG RXB1...

Chicago Tribune: Prescribed burns postoned in Gary’s Miller neighborhood

The mimicking of Mother Nature’s regular cycle of fire at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore kicked off Thursday in Gary’s Miller neighborhood. Fire managers from the IDNL planned two fires that began near the Douglas Center for Environmental Education on...

The News-Dispatch: Setting fires to help the environment

While uncontrolled wildfires have ravaged large areas of the West this year, the National Park Service plans to set a few controlled fires in Northwest Indiana to protect the environment – if the weather cooperates. The Park Service is planning...

WBIW: Hoosier National Forest Plans Fall Prescribed Burns

Prescribed fire is used to maintain, restore, or improve early successional habitat for wildlife, maintain wetlands, restore and maintain unique barren communities, and restore oak-hickory-dominated ecosystems. read article

NYT: Setting Fires and Restoring an American Landscape

Joint Fire Science Program

The Joint Fire Science program (JFSP) was created by Congress in 1998 to provide funding and science delivery for studies associated with managing wildland fire, fueland fire-impacted ecosystems. It is a partnership of six federal agencies, the USFS, BIA, BLM,...