BAKER CITY, OR — Fire management officials on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest are preparing to implement Spring prescribed burning starting as early as today, including in some areas south of Asotin County across the Washington-Oregon border. Each burn typically takes 2-5 days to complete. Firefighters and increased fire traffic are expected in areas where prescribed burns are being conducted.
From the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest:
The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has developed a prescribed fire interactive map displaying planned burning activities. The interactive map allows the user to zoom in on specific areas and click on a burn unit for more information (such as acreage, status, etc.). When burning operations begin, the interactive map will be updated to display which burn units are actively burning.
Frequent, low-intensity fire is essential for healthy forests and reducing the risk of uncharacteristic wildfires caused by fuel buildup. Prescribed burning serves as an effective tool for removing excessive amounts of grass, brush, and shrubs while also achieving benefits such as removing unwanted species that threaten native vegetation.
Specialists write burn plans for all prescribed fires. Burn plans identify – or prescribe – the best conditions under which targeted vegetation will burn to safely meet resource objectives. Burn plans consider temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for the dispersal of smoke.
The Forest works closely with the Oregon Department of Forestry in accordance with the State’s Smoke Management Plans to determine when, where, and how much is burned daily. Potential smoke impacts are evaluated prior to each burn, and an effort is made to minimize impacts to communities. All burns will be monitored until it is determined that they are out.
Stay informed! Here are some other links that will help keep you aware of activities:
- Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Facebook and X Pages.
- Blue Mountains Prescribed Fire Council Blog: https://bluemtnprescribedfire.blogspot.com/
Or you can call the Ranger Stations directly:
- Whitman Ranger District: 541-523-6391
- Wallowa Mountains Office: 541-426-5546
- La Grande Ranger District: 541-962-8500
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area:
- Oxbow: 541-785-3395
- Clarkston: 509-758-0616
- Riggins: 208-628-3916
For up-to-date information about fire news in the Blue Mountain area and other resources, visit the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center.
