YAKIMA, Wash. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is planning controlled forest burns in eastern Washington for this fall with the purpose of increasing forest health protecting nearby communities from fire.
A press release from the department said that frequent, low-intensity fire is essential for restoring public lands.
"This is a fire forest plain and simple. We should no sooner starve a rainforest of its rain than a fire forest of its fire," said Forest Fire Management Officer, Rob Allen. "Be to better protected and prepared for when wildfires visit, our communities nestled in this fire forest need frequent, lower intensity fire on nearby public lands."
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How many acres are burned depends on weather conditions, including temperature, wind, fuel moisture and smoke ventilation.
Allen said that while this summer was quiet in terms of wildfires, by being proactive now, it will prevent high-intensity, unsafe smoke conditions in future summers.
Firefighters implement and monitor each fire to ensure intended goals are met. Residents can expect to see and smell smoke during the burns.
Priority burn areas are listed below.
Okanogan County:
- Bailey 2,688ac; 20 miles SE of Tonasket, WA
- Frosty 141ac; 22 miles E of Tonasket, WA
- Crawfish 250ac; 20 miles SE of Tonasket, WA
- Mutton 1,705ac; 6 miles NW of Conconully, WA
- Lucky 56ac; 6 miles NW of Winthrop, WA
- Upper Rendezvous 210ac; 8 miles NW of Winthrop, WA
- Lost Driveway 611ac; 6 miles W of Mazama, WA
Chelan County:
- 25 Mile Creek 245ac; 18 miles NW of Chelan, WA
- Forest Mountain 86ac;11 miles W of Chelan, WA
- First Creek/Bear Mountain Piles 591ac; 5-18 miles W of Chelan, WA
- Forest Johnson 1,254ac; 3 miles NE of Ardenvoir, WA
- Switchback Canyon 110ac; 3 miles N of Ardenvoir, WA
- Dill Creek 34ac; 9 miles N of Ardenvoir, WA
- Crum 83ac; 3 miles NW of Entiat, WA
- Moe/Roaring Ridge 128ac; 1 mile SW of Ardenvoir, WA
- Fishpole/Natapoc 550ac; 1 mile SW of Fish Lake, WA
- Upper Peshastin 650ac; Summit of Blewett Pass, HWY 97
- Mission 900ac; 4 miles W of Wenatchee, WA
Kittitas County:
- Liberty 100ac; 17 miles NE of Cle Elum, WA
- Orion 300ac; 15 miles NE of Cle Elum, WA
- Teanaway 300ac; 13 miles N of Cle Elum, WA
Yakima County:
- Dry Ridge 200ac; 30 miles W of Yakima, WA near SR410
- Canteen 600ac; 30 miles W of Yakima, WA near Mt. Clemans
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