It is very difficult for the layperson to tell the difference among a
"wildfire", a rural homestead's burn pile, a controlled burn, etc. I
sure can't, and I have reported many fires that ended up being
controlled. However, I will never stop reporting them, and
everyone---everyone---I have ever reported to appreciates the call.

I try to get GPS coords or at least identifiable landmarks and report
either to fligh****ch or to a local unicom operator. In fact, I find it
much more useful to report first to a local unicom, as they are likely
to know about major controlled burns in the area. It is not too
surprising that many unicom operators are also local firefighters---ours is.