Brandon Van Buren, the N.C. Forest Service (NCFS) ranger for Richmond County, has received the 2025 State Forester’s Prescribed Burning Award. Van Buren started his career with NCFS in 2014 as an assistant county ranger in Anson County and has served as Richmond County ranger since October 2021.
“As a newly qualified prescribed burn boss, Brandon has stepped up to meet the needs of Richmond County landowners,” said Keith Money, regional forester for NCFS Region 2. “Prescribed burning in the Sandhills region plays a vital role in wildfire risk reduction, habitat restoration and wildlife and timber management. The successful implementation of these burns represents significant planning, coordination and execution, especially given the county’s emergency response workload.”
The State Forester’s Prescribed Burning Award is presented annually at the N.C. Prescribed Fire Council’s meeting. It honors NCFS employees or teams who show leadership and excellence in carrying out prescribed burns across North Carolina.
Prescribed fires are intentionally set low-intensity fires used within a defined area to achieve goals such as improving wildlife habitat, lowering wildfire risk, and supporting healthier forests. This method is considered a cost-effective tool for forest management throughout North Carolina. The award recognizes those who are dedicated to increasing the use of prescribed fire across the state.
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, staff from NCFS Richmond County completed 24 prescribed burns covering 735 acres, helping more than 20 private landowners with land management efforts. Van Buren acted as burn boss on 17 of these operations.
“We’re proud of Brandon’s commitment and dedication to using prescribed fire to improve the health of North Carolina’s forests and its wildlife habitat while reducing wildfire risk throughout the surrounding community,” said NCFS Assistant Commissioner and State Forester Greg Hicks. “These accomplishments highlight Brandon’s diligence and devotion to upholding the mission and values of the N.C. Forest Service, and to the citizens of Richmond County.”
For more information about prescribed fire benefits in woodland management, visit www.ncforestservice.gov/goodfire.
