Good fire planned on over 5,300 acres across eastern Cascades

Information and photos submitted by Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Starting in mid-September, fire managers from Naches to the Okanogan Highlands will be returning fire to dry, fire adapted landscapes along the east slope of the Cascades. Excluded from the ecosystem for nearly 100 years, frequent, low-intensity fire is essential for healthy forests and better protected communities. Prescribed fire lowers fuel loads in the forest and reduces the risk of future high-intensity wildfires- and related dense smoke.

 

“Prescribed fire is one of the best tools we have to stop living in summer after summer of dense smoke,” said Forest Fire Staff Officer, Rob Allen. “While it may seem counter intuitive, what we need in eastern Washington is more fire, not less.”

While more than 5,300 acres are planned this fall, fewer acres may be burned if conditions are not favorable. Conditions include correct temperature, wind, fuel moisture and ventilation for smoke. When these criteria are met, firefighters implement, monitor, and patrol each burn to ensure it meets forest health and public safety goals including air quality.

“Clean air matters to all of us,” added Allen. “We work closely with the Weather Service and state agencies to burn on days that best disperse smoke away from communities. In other words, we’re playing offense- taking on the long-term wildfire issue.”

For exampl, during the spring of 2018, prescribed fires resulted in no smoke intrusions in the communities of Twisp, Chelan, or Wenatchee. In contrast, during the summer of 2018, wildfires resulted 30 days of Unhealthy for Sensitive Group or worse air quality for the community of Twisp, 24 days for Chelan, and 14 days for Wenatchee. For more information on smoke and public health, please visit: wasmoke.blogspot.com

Real-time prescribed fire information, maps, and updates:
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Interactive map: tinyurl.com/harqnw8

Fall 2018 priority prescribed fire by Ranger District:

Chelan Ranger District:
Grouse Mountain 219 acres 18 miles NW of Chelan, WA
Forest Mountain 158 acres 11 miles W of Chelan, WA

Cle Elem Ranger District:
Liberty 100 acres 17 miles NE of Cle Elum, WA
Orion 345 acres 16 miles NE of Cle Elum, WA
Teanaway 300 acres 14 miles N of Cle Elum, WA

Entiat Ranger District:
Dinkleman 217 acres 6 miles W of Entiat, WA
Entiat Ridge 142 acres 8 miles SW of Entiat, WA
Dill 74 acres 16 miles NE of Entiat, WA

Methow Valley Ranger District:
Ortell 200 acres 11 miles NNW of Winthrop, WA
Deer 413 acres 10 miles NNW of Winthrop, WA
Lucky 56 acres 6 miles NW of Winthrop, WA
Goat 1070 acres 2 miles SE of Mazama, WA
Upper Rendezvous 936 acres 8 miles SE of Mazama, WA

Naches Ranger District:
Angel 100 acres 30 miles W of Yakima, WA near SR 410
Canteen 300 acres 30 miles W of Yakima, WA near Mt. Cleman

Tonasket Ranger District:
Mutton 26 acres 5 miles NW of Conconully, WA
Bailey 200 acres 9 miles SE of Tonasket, WA
Frosted 185 acres 23 miles SE of Tonasket, WA

Wenatchee River Ranger District:
Fishpole 160 acres 1 mile SW of Fish Lake, WA
Natapoc 140 acres 1-2 miles W of Plain, WA

*Additional prescribed fire acres and pile burns may be conducted if favorable conditions allow.