Several recently commissioned bark fired boilers are designed to respond to variable process steam demands with minimal assistance from auxiliary fuels. The combustion controls for these units are based on a conventional metered fuel/metered air technique, with additional functions and constraints incorporated in anticipation of typical bark firing problems. The units are now operating on automatic and respond to the mill steam load swings without auxiliary fuel, except when necessary due to problems in the wood supply or moisture removal equipment. Details of the combustion control system and its operations are given.