Landowner Education: Introduction to Prescribed Fire

Clemson Cooperative Extension

Wildland Fire: Any non-structure fire that occurs in the wildland, including prescribed fire, wildfire, and wildland fire use.
Wildfire: An unplanned, unwanted wildland fire including unauthorized human-caused fires, escaped wildland fire use events, escaped prescribed fire projects, and all other wildland fires where the objective is to put the fire out.
Prescribed Fire: Any fire ignited by management actions under certain, predetermined conditions to meet specific objectives related to hazardous fuels or habitat improvement. A written, approved prescribed fire plan must exist, and NEPA requirements must be met, prior to ignition.
Firewise: A national program that empowers and supports homeowners to take individual responsibility for protecting their homes against wildfire risk.
Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP): A mechanism used to address community wildfire risk and usually is a detailed plan catered to specific community needs.
Certified Prescribed Burner: A person who has completed the training and/or other requirements within their state to be afforded protection from a specified degree of liability.