Prescribed burning reduces the severity of future wildfires near communities
The Willamette National Forest plans to burn around 600 acres soon, depending on weather and fuel conditions. Managers will carefully watch temperature, humidity, and winds to make sure all requirements are met before the burning begins. They will coordinate with State Smoke Management Forecasters to minimize smoke effects on roads and communities.
After the fires, personnel will patrol and monitor the burned areas until the fire is completely extinguished.
The benefits of prescribed burning helps to improve forest health and increase resiliency to wildfire.
It involves igniting a controlled, low intensity fire to consume undergrowth and post-harvest organic materials under specific conditions of temperature, wind, and humidity.
This limits fire behavior and reduces the likelihood of heavy smoke impacting nearby communities.
“Prescribed burning uses low intensity fire to remove hazardous fuels and replicate the natural fire disturbance process under strictly defined weather and fuels conditions” says Chris Donaldson, Deputy Fire Staff Officer.
Prescribed burning helps to:
- Reduces hazardous fuels, protecting human communities from extreme fires
- Minimizes the spread of pest insects and disease
- Removes unwanted species that threaten species native to an ecosystem
- Provides forage for game
- Improves habitat for threatened and endangered species
- Recycles nutrients back to the soil
- Promotes the growth of trees, wildflowers, and other plants
Specific information will be provided prior to each burn day as fuels specialists verify weather conditions are conducive to burning, and smoke clearance is granted.
For information, follow the Willamette National Forest Facebook page or Twitter (@WillametteNF).
Source: Willamette National Forest