Fire Art: Art Burn Safety

These guidelines are based on Burning Man Guidelines while taking into account Freezer Burn’s location and unique needs.


If you are looking for additional resources to help you out with your fire art, please check out www.burningman.org where many of these guidelines come from. This guide, while fairly extensive, is only a guide and would be used in full for a large complex art burn. Please use it as a reference when putting together your documents to help us understand your burn and include us in the safety discussions around your art piece.


Fire Safety Agreements

After you register your fire Art and submit the necessary documentation, you will be asked to agree to abide by the relevant fire safety guidelines.


How to Successfully Bring Fire to Freezer Burn

Freezer Burn embraces the use of fire as an art form in ways that few other events have, and we take as much pride in our safety as we do in our ability to burn. It is every artist’s responsibility to help Freezer Burn maintain this safety, ensuring that we can all use fire in the ways that make our event so special.


Before you consider creating art that utilizes fire, you must take into consideration the following guideline(s), compiled by the Freezer Burn - Fire Art Safety Team (FB-FAST) to assist you with creating and exhibiting fire art safely. While we understand that these guidelines are extensive, it’s critical that you read them completely.


If you have any questions or you would like to make changes to your already submitted art piece or flame effect, please email us freezerburnfiresafety@gmail.com.


Art Burn Guidelines

Art burn projects can be as large as the Temple, or as small and intimate as a fiery cube on the open Fraya. Fire can be a great way to bring folks together on a chilly Fraya night, or to send your artwork to the spirits in a final flaming conflagration. Whatever the size, all fires need to be registered with FB-FAST by the pertinent registration deadline along with the needed submission documents. The earlier you can let us know, the sooner we can discuss the details of your burn and how FB-FAST can support you in making your fiery dreams come true.


Accelerant and Pyrotechnic use

If you plan on using any accelerants (gasoline, diesel, kerosene, etc) or pyrotechnics (road flares, gerbs, e-matches, etc) for your art it is your responsibility to find your own FB-FAST approved Natural Resource Canada certified pyrotechnician to plan, set-up and ignite your art including the materials you would be using. If your Burn requires any of these things you must identify this in your artwork submissions and follow all guidelines required of you. ARTery will connect you with FB-FAST to work with you to make sure your burn is successful. If you have any questions or are looking for a pyrotechnician, please direct them to FB-FAST at freezerburnfiresafety@gmail.com as we do have a small team who may be able to help you.


Art Burn Definitions

Art Burn (AB) is defined as simple burning of solid or unpressurized liquid fuels, without any enhancement by mechanical devices, extra oxidizers or pyrotechnic materials.


Freezer Burn defines four different types or levels of art burns, each with different characteristics, and each requiring different approval processes and safety procedures.


Art Burn Level One (AB-1)

Large Structure or Art Work on Fraya


For the burning of a large structure or art work on Fraya. Examples include:

  • A large sculpture and/or art burn (over 2m)
  • An artwork fully engulfed in flames producing a tremendous amount of heat
  • The Effigy and Temple structures

Requirements for AB-1:

  • Register your fire with FB-FAST before any deadlines
  • Close communications with FB-FAST at the submission stage of the project
  • Early submission of the following documents:
  • Burn Scenario - this describes the “what” and the “how” of your project
  • Diagrams - these include layout plans of your art installation and your project’s base camp
  • Safety Plan - how you will ensure the safety of crew and participants
  • Emergency Response Plan - how your crew will respond when things go wrong despite your safety plan
  • Safety Perimeter Plan - how you will keep participants safe during your fire art burn
  • Burn Plan - this lays out the “when” and “how long” of your fire art burn
  • Leave No Trace Plan - how you will ensure that no trace of your crew or your artwork remains after the event
  • Formally agree to the art burn fire safety agreement
  • Ranger and/or FB-FAST Support (artwork dependent)
  • A Burn Laminate issued by FB-FAST just prior to burn


Art Burn Level Two (AB-2)

Small Artwork and Enclosed Container Fires 


For small art work or fire in an enclosed container. AB-2 refers to the simple burning of solid or unpressurized fuel within fireproof containment. Examples include: 

  • A sculpture and/or art burn (under 2m)
  • Wood Fired Sauna

Restrictions for AB-2:

  • Burn Barrels are not permitted at Freezer Burn
  • Portable wood fire pits or other raised containers are generally not permitted at Freezer Burn contact FB-FAST if your art is using any of these. E.g. Sauna 

Requirements for AB-2:

  • Register your fire with FB-FAST before any deadlines
  • Close communications with FB-FAST at the submission stage of the project
  • Early Submission of the following documents prior to the event:
  • Burn Scenario - this describes the “what” and the “how” of your project
  • Diagrams - these include layout plans of your art installation and your project’s base camp
  • Safety Plan - how you will ensure the safety of crew and participants
  • Emergency Response Plan - how your crew will respond when things go wrong despite your safety plan
  • Safety Perimeter Plan - how you will keep participants safe during your fire art burn
  • Burn Plan - this lays out the “when” and “how long” of your fire art burn
  • Leave No Trace Plan - how you will ensure that no trace of your crew or your artwork remains after the event
  • Precautions must be taken to ensure that anything that should not be set on fire (fabric, stage sets, etc.) is kept away from flame
  • Ranger and/or FB-FAST Support (artwork dependent)
  • Formally agree to the Art Burn fire safety agreement
  • For artwork that will be burned, a Burn Laminate issued by FB-FAST prior to burn


Art Burn Open Fire Level three (AB-3)

Small unpressurized open flame Effects and simple uses of fire


For small unpressurized open flame Effects and simple uses of fire. AB-3 refers to the simple burning of solid or unpressurized fuel within fireproof containment. Examples include: 

  • Oil lamps
  • Torches
  • Candles
  • Other simple uses of fire

Restrictions for AB-3:

  • General camp use of oil lamps, torches or candles for decorations and lighting is not permitted at freezer burn
  • If you have an art piece that you want to incorporate any of these types of devices please contact FB-FAST before the deadline to discuss options and possibilities.

Requirements for AB-3:

  • Register your intention to bring this type of fire with FB-FAST or ARTery before any deadlines
  • Submit a Burn Scenario - this describes the “what” and the “where” of your project
  • Communications with FB-FAST wil be required
  • Be prepared to submit the additional following documents prior to the event:
  • Diagrams - these include layout plans of your art installation and your project’s base camp
  • Safety Plan - how you will ensure the safety of crew and participants
  • Emergency Response Plan - how your crew will respond when things go wrong despite your safety plan
  • Safety Perimeter Plan - how you will keep participants safe during your fire art burn
  • Leave No Trace plan - how you will ensure that no trace of your crew or your artwork remains after the event
  • Practice good fire safety with precautions being taken to ensure that anything that should not be set on fire (fabric, stage sets, etc.) is kept away from flame
  • A sober and competent operator must be present while your art is burning
  • Formally agree to the Art Burn fire safety agreement
  • A Burn Laminate may be issued by FB-FAST prior to burning


Art Burn Level Three (AB-4)

Relocatable Art to Burn 


AB-4 is for Relocatable Art to Burn. It is artwork created/staged in one location that is moved for burning at an approved Burn Location.

Requirements for AB-4:

Only wood, NO other burnable materials (toxic/synthetics are prohibited by law)

  • Communications with FB-FAST after the approval of ARTery submission
  • NO liquid fuels
  • Submission of the following documents prior to the event:
  • Burn Scenario - this describes the “what” and the “how” of your project
  • Diagrams - these include layout plans of your art installation
  • Safety Plan - how you will ensure the safety of crew and participants
  • Emergency Response Plan - how your crew will respond when things go wrong despite your safety plan
  • Safety Perimeter Plan - how you will keep participants safe during your fire art burn
  • Burn Plan - this lays out the “when” and “how long” of your fire art burn
  • Leave No Trace plan - how you will ensure that no trace of your crew or your artwork remains after the event
  • Formally agree to the Art Burn fire safety agreement
  • A Burn Laminate will be issued by FB-FAST prior to burn
  • Practice good safety! Be aware of your situation



Safety Guidelines for Art Burns

Artwork Materials and Construction


Materials NOT To Burn

Any Toxic Materials. Avoid incorporating plastics and synthetics into your artwork. The burning of any toxic materials in your artwork is prohibited by law. 

Materials NOT to be burned due to toxic materials:

  • No Treated Lumber
  • Furniture
  • Commercial or Residential Paint
  • Rugs
  • Many other objects typically used to decorate artworks. Talk to FB-FAST if you have any questions about what is acceptable.

All such items MUST be removed from your artwork before it is burned.

Materials That Create Airborne Embers

Over the years we have found a short list of materials that, when burned, create excessive embers and floating burning materials. These loose sources of unintended ignition can cause issues for participants and mutant Vehicles at the burn perimeter, nearby art projects, participants at the burn, and nearby camp structures.

Materials suggested NOT to be burned due to embers include:

  • Discuss all materials with FB-FAST pre-event.
  • Fabric
  • Paint
  • Cardboard
  • Large sections of papier-mâché
  • Thin wood laminates or pressboard
  • Plywood less than 5/8th inches thick
  • OSB, chipboard, and particle-board

Engineered and Glue Laminated Structural Elements:

While Engineered and Glue Laminated Structural wood has excellent strength and may be useful in larger structures, it is also designed to be fire-resistant. Through experience, we have found that these types of beams can often end up mostly unburned and can remain upright long after the rest of the materials have burned. The result can be the need to hold the perimeter for the time that it takes for the remaining unburned sections to be made safe.

Materials That Require Removal After Burning

You can use nails, screws, or other steel fasteners in the construction of your artwork. You are required to clean them from the burn site along with the ash pile. A magnet rake is one of the greatest cleanup tools and can be purchased cheaply along with a metal bucket to hold the hot metal.



Plans

Safety Plan

This is how you are going to keep participants safe during the event prior to you burning it. If you are thinking of building this stuff then you should have already been considering lots of these ideas. 

Your Safety Plan should describe all the measures that your crew will employ to ensure that your installation will be safe for participants, performers and crew, both during and after construction, and during strike and clean-up. At a minimum, it should cover:

  • Illumination and protection from vehicle traffic for all elements of the installation, including the artwork itself, fuel supplies and fuel storage, operating positions, generators, etc.
  • Types, sizes and placement of fire extinguishers or other fire suppression means that will be kept on hand
  • Is your artwork over 2 m tall and/or climbable? How are you going to keep it from falling onto participants or participants from falling off of it during the event
  • Location and contents of first aid kit(s)
  • Safety training your crew members have
  • Safety-specific crew roles and responsibilities
  • Safety procedures and protocols:
  • Fueling procedures: how do you ensure that fueling is done safely?
  • Daily safety check: what conditions do you check for?
  • Operating procedures: what conditions do you watch for while operating?
  • Safety features, if any, built in to the installation
  • Safety perimeters, and how they are maintained
  • 20’ wide fire lane from street to large fuel or propane storage location(s)

Emergency Response Plan

No matter how comprehensive your Safety Plan, things still go wrong. If you are building very large art or are going to be using non-pressurized liquid fuel you will also need to include an Emergency Response Plan. It should list all the ways things may go wrong and expose your crew or other participants to potential injury, and how your crew will respond when they do. At a minimum it should cover:

  • Emergency shut-off/shut-down procedures
  • Response to fuel leaks
  • Response to liquid fuel spills, small and large
  • Response to unplanned fires, small and large
  • Response to damage (or incipient damage) caused by wind, vehicle collision or other physical forces
  • Response to hazardous material exposure of crew, performer or participant
  • Response to injury sustained by crew, performer or participant

Safety Perimeter Plan

Your burn’s safety perimeter keeps participants from straying into areas where they could be injured or interfere with the work of your crew. Designing and managing a burn’s perimeter is one of the most important safety aspects of the entire burn, with many factors to consider. You will need to submit your Safety Perimeter Plan to FB-FAST. See the next Section: Pre-Fraya Planning; Perimeter Specifics. IF you have any questions please contact FB-Fast pre-event for help. 



Pre-Fraya Planning

Designate a Burn Perimeter Lead

Designate someone from your team to be the Burn Perimeter Lead for your project. This person (preferably not the artist themselves as they will probably be busy doing art stuff) will be the point of contact for FB-FAST and the Rangers.

The Burn Perimeter Lead roles are similar to being a Stage Manager, and they should possess the following qualities:

  • Cool Head: ability to stay calm in the middle of chaos.
  • Good Organizational Skills: ability to coordinate and manage the perimeter crew.
  • Communication and People Skills: ability to communicate clearly at all levels, and communicate face-to-face instructions to perimeter team.
  • Understanding The Big Picture: ability to set up in advance and manage the chain of command, the timeline for the perimeter set up, performance, and the rendezvous point for perimeter team, ensuring everybody knows exactly where he or she should be, what to expect, what to do, and who is in charge.


Perimeter Specifics

Zones of a Burn

In preparation for a burn, the artist must clearly identify and set up the Burn Zones. The diagram below is an example of a full circle 70’ radius perimeter. Starting from the inside and working outward, the Zones of a burn are:

  • Artwork – The artwork is at the center; this is the area where the burn itself will take place. Just beyond the artwork is the Fire Zone, where the structure may fall. No participants are allowed in this area.
  • Perimeter Dividing Line – This is the line that separates the audience from the Safety Perimeter Crew and is just inside which the Perimeter crew is stationed.
  • Audience Viewing Zone – This is the area where the audience is located.

 


Determining Perimeter Size

The size of your artwork, the materials used for its construction, the type of fuels and fuel load needed and if you plan on using pyrotechnics are all factors that will go into determining the perimeter needed for your piece. Each project is required to have a half hour phone or virtual meeting with FB-FAST pre-event. During that meeting the exact perimeter distance will be determined.

Establishing Safety Corridors

Larger burns require that you plan for placement of FB-FAST crews. To identify and divide quadrants, and create Safety Corridors, Freezer Burn uses clock face designations. Normally the Safety Corridors would be placed at the 3:00 & 9:00 positions (see diagram above). FB-FAST will help you with this planning. A guideline to use:

  • Your safety perimeter = (1.5 x height of the structure or art piece in meters) + 6 meters  

Determine the Number of Safety Perimeter Crew

You will need a minimum of one front-line person on your perimeter crew for every 4.5 m (15 ft) of the perimeter’s circumference. Some simple examples:

  • A full 15m (50 ft) radius circle requires a 21-person perimeter crew
  • 30m (100 ft) radius circle requires a 45-person perimeter crew

Depending on your placement on the Fraya and if your artwork backs onto the river you may only need a half circle radius and perimeter crew.

FB-FAST will make the final determination on the number of people required for your Safety Perimeter Crew based on all aspects of your project.

Perimeter Crew Identification

Make sure your Perimeter crew can be easily identified and distinguished from participants by the use of fire resistant safety vests to be worn over their jackets or other outerwear. Depending on your art burn timing FB-FAST may be able to lend you some safety vests.

Quadrant Zones & Perimeter Captains

For larger burns, divide the burn circle into quadrants and number or name each one. Designate one person to take responsibility for each quadrant. Make sure everyone knows the name or number of his/her quadrant. This will make the task of locating emergencies or other issues easier for all involved.

Communication

Clear communication at all levels is essential. In the event of a perimeter collapse, make sure all perimeter staff know not to put themselves between a surging crowd and a fire. All staff should go to the predetermined designated rendezvous point post burn so that everyone can be accounted for. 



On Fraya

Establishing a Perimeter

Most perimeters should be set at least one hour before and more likely several hours prior to the performance/burn. This timing is dependent on the project’s size, intensity and the complexity of your pre-burn activities. Pyrotechnic performances should have a pyro loading perimeter established before the pyrotechnic load-in begins and the perimeter must remain in place until after the site has been declared safe. This initial pyrotechnic perimeter can be a smaller perimeter depending on the size of the structure, quantity and type of pyrotechnic material being used. A member of FB-FAST who is certified for pyrotechnics will discuss this with you prior to you arriving on Fraya and again before loading any pyrotechnics. A sufficient supply of fire extinguishers should be on hand from the beginning of the perimeter set up and must be visible and accessible at all times.

Create the Initial Perimeter

Form a tight ring of teammates around the immediate performance area. Together as a group, proceed at a slow pace outward towards the eventual perimeter to ensure that foreign objects and non-crew participants are not within the perimeter. Be assertive, but polite. You are the host, they are the guests.

Once the perimeter has been set, your perimeter team must be diligent in keeping audience members out. Remember, the perimeter is there for their safety. Sitting is not recommended for the perimeter crew, as it is too difficult to spring into action from this position. Squatting, or crouching with one knee down is better. All members of the perimeter crew should have a flashlight or head-lamp for visibility and safety.

Consider having some water available for your crew, and encourage them to bring warmer clothing to wear under their safety vest for a cooler evening.

Work with the Audience

Working with your audience is very effective and good humor is essential. Make friends with the audience; it is crucial that they assist you. If you do not set up a perimeter before the audience arrives, it’s really difficult to get them to move back. For large performances, ask the first three or more rows of watchers to sit down. This way everyone can see and the likelihood of a sudden perimeter break is greatly diminished. The people who arrive earliest for a performance often have cameras and are more than happy to sit. Since they would prefer others don’t trample their set up, they are typically more than willing to help you. Remember that in holding a perimeter, the situation can change quickly. The crew needs to stay focused and flexible throughout the event.

Ignition of the Burn

A member of FB-FAST will arrive at a pre-arranged time of your burn to identify themselves to the artists. This time will be confirmed with FB-FAST on Fraya. Do not add any liquid fuel to the artwork before the FB-FAST member arrives. The FB-FAST member will make a final check of your piece, and if all is in order, they will issue the burn laminate for your piece, and inform the Freezer Burn Rangers and the Producers that your piece is on schedule to burn. Just before the burn, a FB-FAST member will check the weather. Barring any high wind conditions or other negative weather factors you will receive an OK to burn from the FB-FAST member.

When to Drop the Perimeter

  • For simple burns not involving pyrotechnics or large amounts of liquid fuels, the decision on when to drop the perimeter is based on when the highest pieces of the artwork has fallen. The idea is that a hazardous situation exists until any components of the artwork over 2m tall that may conceivably fall, have actually fallen. FB-FAST will make a final sweep around the burn to make sure no hazards exist with the fallen structure and make the art piece safe.
  • For larger burns FB-FAST will help you to make this decision. Following structural collapse, for projects involving pyrotechnics, the pyrotechnician in coordination with FB-FAST must make a sweep of the area for unfired pyrotechnics materials before the perimeter can be dropped at FB-FAST’s direction. FB-FAST will NOT allow anyone to go INTO a structure, but if they are in appropriate safety gear (i.e. firefighter turnout gear) they will be permitted to do a sweep around the perimeter of the structure for any fuel mortars, or unspent pyrotechnics. They should be accompanied by an also well geared up member of the FB-FAST team (preferably from the Pyro team). Fuel mortars should be tipped toward the burning structure, and pyro should be either removed if it is safe to do so, or placed into the fire. All materials must be neutralized before the perimeter is dropped.
  • Just prior to dropping the perimeter the artist in coordination with FB-FAST will be given a chance to mark and identify any objects associated with the art piece so as not to become a tripping hazard for participants approaching the fire. If there are rebar, ground screws/ground anchors or stakes protruding above the Fraya surface, safety cones will be needed to be placed over them to alert participants. 
  • ONLY then will FB-FAST release the perimeter.
  • Once the perimeter has been released an overnight fire guardian crew will stay with the embers to ensure participant safety, prevent fire spreading outside the burn area if the wind picks up, and to prepare the area for clean up (LNT) in the morning. Do not allow participants to throw items that are not to be burned, like plastics or hazardous materials, into the fire. If the fire cannot be watched overnight you will need to extinguish the fire before leaving it and mark off the area for safety, this may result in you having to clean up larger pieces of partially burnt wood as well as the ash and potentially hot metal fasteners and Matter out of Place (MOOP).

Contingency Plan

If your burn plan goes like clockwork, great! But on the Fraya in Alberta, you must be flexible and patient to have a successful burn.

  • If Fire bans are in place for the county during the event you may be required to remove the art piece unburned.
  • Having a back up plan (or two) is essential. One major factor to take into account is weather; the start of the burn performance may need to be placed on hold or cancelled and rescheduled for a different night.
  • Know where the fire extinguishers are. All perimeter crew must be trained in the use of and aware of the location of the extinguisher closest to them. Have the Safety Perimeter Crew ready to respond at a moment’s notice. They should have eyes on the crowd. In the event of a perimeter collapse, make sure all perimeter staff know not to put themselves between a surging crowd and a fire.
  • Rendezvous Plan – After the perimeter has dropped, all staff should go to the designated rendezvous point so that everyone can be accounted for. In the event of a collapse, the surging crowd may respond by turning around and running back away from the fire.

The artist and/or build team should be ready to stand by the art if the weather turns bad. A FB-FAST member will be assigned to each burn and will be able to confirm your ignition timing. The FB-FAST member will be the final word on wind and perimeter before the project can be lit.

LNT Plan and Clean Up

Post-burn, artists are also expected to completely clean the burn area of debris and ash. Completely cleaning the site of your burn is essential for the continuation of our event and it is your responsibility as the artist. The LNT team will perform a final sweep of the entire event space once the event has concluded, and will include any findings in their final report.

Post-Fraya

In order to always improve we need to hear from you about your experiences with your burn. Artists will be required to write a short report post event describing what worked and what did not. This report is required and will help to improve future burns and events.



Burn Plan

Scheduled Burn Time 

Although your burn day and time will be decided pre-event during your burn meeting, please confirm that day and time with FB-FAST after checking the burn schedule located at the pre-determined on-site location. While FB-FAST will try to accommodate your preferred burn time, it can not be guaranteed, and it may be changed due to weather, emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances.

  • You are responsible for maintaining contact with FB-FAST to stay apprised of any schedule adjustments or other advisories. Relevant information will be passed along to the artist.
  • FB-FAST Coordination Before Burning
  • At least one hour before your scheduled burn time (or earlier, depending on the complexity of your burn) a member of FB-FAST (the person supervising your burn) will arrive at your installation to identify themselves to the artists to coordinate with the project team (artist and all leads).
  • Your perimeter must be set before FB-FAST arrives or it could result in a delay or cancellation of your burn! 
  • Do NOT apply any accelerants to the artwork before the FB-FAST lead arrives. The FB-FAST lead will make a final check of your piece, and if all is in order, they will issue the Burn Laminate for your piece, and inform the Producers and Rangers that your piece is on schedule to burn. When you are given the green light, you will be informed to complete your preparations to burn. A FB-FAST member will also check the weather. Barring any high wind conditions or other negative weather factors, you will receive an OK to burn from the FB-FAST member.
  • You can and should be making all other burn preparations prior to that time, however, and continue making them after the FB-FAST arrives.

The FB-FAST member is a knowledgeable resource who can help you troubleshoot last-minute problems with your preparations. If in doubt about anything, don’t guess: make use of the FB-FAST expertise!

The FB-FAST has final say over when and if you are allowed to:

  • Apply accelerants
  • Start your performance and/or pyrotechnics show, if any
  • Ignite the artwork
  • Release the safety perimeter

Establishing the Perimeter

Plan to establish a smaller perimeter several hours ahead of burn time to allow for preparation of the structure, loading of pyrotechnics, loading of cordwood, etc. Create a perimeter before prepping for the burn. At that point, participants are no longer allowed on the site for safety.

Preparing the Structure

Once the perimeter is set and there is no danger of participants entering the work area, the preparations can begin, including:

  • Clearing structure contents
  • Cordwood loading
  • Structural hobbling
  • Pyro loading

All pyrotechnic material must be listed and approved pre-event. An inspection of its placement will be required on-site at the discretion of FB-FAST. Any questions please contact FB-FAST at freezerburnfiresafety@gmail.com.

Final Checks and Approval

When all the above preparations are complete, FB-FAST, Artist and/or representative, and pyrotechnic operator (if needed) will make a final check of the artwork, looking for any stowaways or stragglers, and checking for any hazardous conditions that may have developed while preparations were underway.

  • If liquid accelerants are needed, a fueling team applies them at this time after given the clear by the FB-FAST on site, using methods documented in the Burn Plan and approved by FB-FAST at the pre-event meeting. A fire safety team member with fully-charged fire extinguishers in hand — and trained in their use — must accompany and cover fuel team members while they are applying accelerants.
  • After this final check and fueling of the structure, the “No-Man’s Land” zone of the burn circle is closed to further entry until the artwork is ignited and the structure has fallen.
  • Just before ignition, the FB-FAST checks the weather. Barring any high wind conditions or other negative weather factors, you will receive an OK to burn from the FB-FAST. The FB-FAST issues the necessary Burn Laminate for your burn, and informs the Rangers and the Freezer Burn Producers that the artwork is on schedule to burn.

Ignition

At this time, the final sequence of the burn, including performance, pyrotechnics, and any ignition ritual, can begin.

All of these elements of the burn must be conducted in a way that prevents premature ignition, to ensure the safety of the fuel team while they are in or near the fueled structure.

Important Note: No one on the fuel team should be tasked with the actual ignition of the structure, as there is a chance they will have fuel on their clothing.

Hazard Mitigation

FB-FAST will make the decision to drop the perimeter when all conditions are determined safe. For all burns the decision on when to drop the perimeter is based on a variety of determinants such as when the highest pieces of the artwork have fallen. The idea is that a hazardous situation exists until all components of the artwork over seven feet tall that may conceivably fall, have actually fallen and no pieces of art have fallen presenting tripping hazards.

  • Any unburned materials that have fallen beyond the immediate burn area must be thrown or pushed back into the fire. These items must not become tripping hazards for participants approaching the fire once the perimeter is dropped.
  • If any rebar, ground screws/ground anchors or stakes are protruding above the Fraya surface that cannot be removed before the perimeter comes down, cones must be placed over them to alert participants.
  • Following structure collapse, for projects involving pyrotechnics FB-FAST will NOT allow anyone to go INTO a structure, but if they are in appropriate safety gear (i.e. firefighter turnout gear) they will be permitted to do a sweep around the perimeter of the structure for any fuel mortars, or unspent pyrotechnics. They should be accompanied by an also well geared up member of the FB-FAST team (preferably from the Pyro team). Fuel mortars should be tipped toward the burning structure, and pyro should be either removed if it is safe to do so, or placed into the fire. All materials must be neutralized before the perimeter is dropped.

ONLY then should the perimeter be released.

Releasing the Perimeter

The perimeter can be released after:

  1. All hazard mitigations listed above have been completed to the satisfaction of the FB-FAST
  2. No part of the artwork stands more than 2m higher than the Fraya. 
  3. Once FB-FAST gives the ok then Rangers and FB-FAST will work with the Perimeter Leads to release the perimeter at the same time for safety.


Burn Aftermath

After the perimeter has been released, all members of the burn crew must be accounted for at the rally point. Perimeter Volunteers are to check out at the rally point where they checked in. Any crew member on either team who fails to report to their rally point for check-out should be considered “missing in action,” and possibly injured or incapacitated, until they are located.

  • A crew member must stay with the embers to ensure participant safety, prevent the spread of fire if the wind picks up, and to shovel and rake the embers to prepare the area for clean up (LNT). 
  • Do not allow participants to throw items that are not to be burned, like plastics or hazardous materials, into the fire. 
  • The crew will stay on site until the ash pile is completely out.


Leave No Trace Plan

The Artist, any Leave No Trace Lead you have designated, and crew are responsible for all clean up at the installation site, both nightly and when the event ends. The area must be as clean as when you found it, and all MOOP you remove must be packed out of Freezer Burn. This is what it means to LEAVE NO TRACE.

  • Think about Fraya clean-up while you are creating your artwork, both in terms of the usual trash that accumulates and extraordinary situations such as fuel spills. How will you prevent these things from happening, and how will you respond if they do?
  • You must have available at the installation all necessary clean-up tools and materials for both kinds of eventuality, such as shovels, rakes (including “magnetic rakes”), garbage cans (metal ones if you will be dealing with hot ashes), and sealable containers for storage and removal of spill-contaminated Fraya dirt.


Grass seeding the burn site

Freezer Burn is held in the Parkland Region of Alberta and it offers rich and varied scenery. These moist grasslands, small streams and wetlands, bluffs of aspen and balsam poplar trees are healthy and thriving ecosystems. Each sustains a rich diversity of plant and animal life, and we must do our best to leave no trace so that after we leave, it can recover.  

The landowner prefers that grass seeding happens a week after the event, and this is typically completed with the Production team “Post-event site review”. Seeding the grass while the ground is still warm can damage the seeds, and thus the seeds will not be as effective. To offset the cost of grass seed, each burn artist (including temple and effigy) may be required to provide financial reimbursement for the grass seed.