The Southern Blue Ridge Prescribed Burn Association (SBR-PBA) seeks to educate and support landowners throughout Western North Carolina to implement safe and effective prescribed fires on private lands in the Southern Blue Ridge region of North Carolina. The PBA is currently active in eight counties, with several partnering agencies and organizations acting in roles of support. We are continually looking for ways to expand our network to other counties in the area.

County Area: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Watauga, Yancey

What is a Prescribed Burn Association?

A PBA is a community-based organization connecting landowners and other community members to training, equipment, and educational programs to increase the effectiveness and safety of prescribed fires on private lands. PBAs help manage risk by ensuring appropriate preparations are in place before each burn, including:

•  Assisting with burn plans

•  Procuring equipment

•  Creating adequate fire breaks

•  Helping to ensure a sufficient team of support is present

Funders

Most of the work performed by the Southern Blue Ridge PBA is currently funded by the US Forest Service, and supported by several of our partner organizations and agencies, such as the NC Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, NC State Extension, and the Southern Blue Ridge Fire Learning Network.

Partners