The Burn Boss Type 2 directs prescribed fire operations on low and moderate complexity burns, and oversees training and qualifications of prescribed fire staff and volunteers at the local level.

Responsibility and Authority

• Directs prescribed fire operations on low and moderate complexity broadcast burns
• Directs Non-broadcast burn activities
• Coordinates necessary fire suppression activities, e.g. prescribed fire contingency response
• Confirms crew member training, qualifications and position currency
• Prepares and provides technical review of Prescribed Burn Plans and other fire management plans
• Trains and organizes prescribed burn crews or modules; conducts annual fireline safety refreshers, administers physical fitness testing
• Serves as instructor for entry to upper-level wildland fire courses
• Responsible for safe and effective fire operations
• Instructs the science and practice of ecological burning

How to become a Burn Boss Type 2

An RXB2 must meet minimum training, experience and physical fitness requirements listed below, and complete the RXB2 Position Task Book (PMS 311-74 [next gen]) as a trainee on three or more prescribed burns that are supervised by a Type 1 or Type 2 burn boss.

Required Training:

• S-390 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations
• Rx-410 Smoke Management Techniques
• Workshop on Ecological Burning (WEB), or
RX-300 Prescribed Fire Burn Boss

Other Training (not required) which supports development of knowledge and skills:

• S-219 Firing Operations
• L-380 Fireline Leadership
• RX-310 Introduction to Fire Effects
• Rx-510 Advanced Fire Effects

Required experience:

• Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4)
• Firing Boss (FIRB) plus an additional Single Resource Boss (Engine Boss is preferred)
• Participation in a total of at least 20 prescribed burns whose primary purpose is not training

Required Physical Fitness:
Moderate

Position Task Book:
Conservancy Prescribed Fire Manager must Initialize and Agency Certify the RXB2 task book.

Aviation:
A burn boss must have the following training and experience to be a passenger in an aircraft on a prescribed fire they are leading or serving as Firing Boss: A-100 Basic Aviation Safety Course or S-270 Basic Air Operations; and one trainee experience in the air (this could be from an experienced pilot or a PLDO Operator coaching a first flight or from an experienced FIRB/ Burn Boss coaching from the back seat).

For a burn boss on the ground utilizing aerial ignition on a prescribed fire, the training described above is recommended but not required. The A-100 Basic Aviation Safety training can be found at Interagency Aviation Training.

Position Currency

To remain qualified in a RXB2 position:

• Complete Recurrent Training- RT-130 Annual Fireline Safety Refresher
• Complete RT-300 Burn Boss Safety Refresher every two years
• Complete First Aid / CPR refresher
• Complete annual Physical Fitness testing
• Successfully lead a prescribed burn within a five (5) year timeframe

Position Documentation

The Prescribed Fire Manager has the final authority and responsibility for designating an individual as a TNC Burn Boss Type 2. The designation must be made in writing with a memo or letter signed by the Prescribed Fire Manager, and a copy sent to the Director of Fire Management. See: Sample memo. Meeting all of the above standards for RXB2 does not automatically give a person authority to conduct prescribed burns for the Conservancy. The designation will also depend on the recommendations from fellow burners and careful evaluation of leadership qualities by the Prescribed Fire Manager. An individual may be restricted to burning in certain fuel types or in specific sites or geographic areas. If a burn boss moves to another program, they must be designated in writing by the new program's Prescribed Fire Manager.

A Burn Boss is responsible for maintaining awarded training certificates, completed Position Task Books, fitness test documentation, and a log or record of their wildland fire experience. Copies may also be kept in a state or local office for documenting an individual's information in the IQCS database.

Under no circumstances should any Conservancy staff, volunteer, or contractor conduct a burn for which they have not been approved in writing as a qualified Burn Boss.

If a Burn Boss shows persistent deficiencies in fulfilling their role, the Prescribed Fire Manager or Director of Fire Management may conduct a review of that person's qualification status, and may permanently or temporarily revoke Conservancy burn boss status.

Last updated December 30, 2025.