New committee will oversee process for certifying landowners to conduct prescribed burns

Santa Fe – Following the publication of the Prescribed Burn Manager Certification Program Rule, the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department's Forestry Division is establishing a committee to certify landowners who wish to conduct prescribed burns on their property.

The Forestry Division is also seeking applications or nominations for at least two individuals to serve on this newly formed committee. The Certified Prescribed Burn Committee will consist of at least three members: one from a non-governmental organization, one from the New Mexico Prescribed Fire Council, and one representative from the Forestry Division, appointed by the State Forester. Additional ad-hoc members may be added at the request of the Committee or State Forester.

Committee members will provide oversight of development and updates to training modules, refresher courses and recertification processes, and will align the training modules with previous prescribed fire training and experiences.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Prescribed Burn Certification statute in February 2022. Certification provides landowners and contractors with the knowledge and training to perform hazardous fuel reduction on private property through the use of prescribed fire. This, in turn, helps reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire not just on the specific property, but also in the surrounding community.

Once training is completed, certified landowners will only be held liable for actual damage instead of double damages, as was previously the case.