Scenic Area Plans Prescribed Burns in Coming Months
Release Date: Sep 12, 2016
Contact(s): Rachel Pawlitz, 541-308-1744
Hood River, Ore. – As clouds roll in and autumn temperatures descend on the Gorge, fire managers at the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area are beginning to plan prescribed burn activities for the coming months.
This year, the Scenic Area plans to conduct prescribed burns in the Courtney Road area of Klickitat County from mid-September to mid-October, as part of an ongoing effort to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and improve forest health.
The actual day of ignition for the prescribed burn projects will depend on factors such as humidity, wind speed and direction, temperature and moisture levels of understory vegetation. Burns only occur on days when the Washington State Smoke Management Office indicates suitable weather conditions for smoke dispersal is present.
“We wait for the right window of opportunity, and we only conduct burns when conditions allow for safe and successful outcomes,” said Loretta Duke, Assistant Fire Management Officer with the Scenic Area.
Prescribed burns are a proactive tool used by fire managers to reduce the threat of wildfire by removing overgrown vegetation, considered “fuel loads” by fire specialists, due to their tendency to easily spark and contribute to the growth of wildfire. Prescribed burns are also valued by ecologists for their ability to maintain and restore historic landscapes of the Gorge, where widely-space, large pine and oak trees were often dominant. Other benefits of prescribed burns include recycling nutrients that increase soil productivity, improving wildlife habitat and increasing the resiliency of the treated stands to the effects of wildfire.
Smoke may be visible on Washington State Route 14 and Interstate 84 at times during the duration of the burns. Where necessary, motorists should reduce speeds and turn on headlights.
More details will be released when specific date(s) for burning have been identified. Learn more about Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area at www.fs.usda.gov/crgnsa or by following social media updates at facebook.com/crgnsa or www.twitter.com/crgnsa.
###
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area encompasses 292,500 acres of Washington and Oregon, where the Columbia River cuts a spectacular river canyon through the Cascade Mountains. The USDA Forest Service manages National Forest lands in the National Scenic Area and works with the Gorge Commission, states, counties, treaty tribes, and partners to protect and enhance scenic, natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the Columbia River Gorge while encouraging local economic development consistent with that protection.
Alerts & Warnings
- Dog Mountain Permits
- Lower Cape Horn Trail Seasonal Closure
- Concept Development for Mosier to The Dalles Trail Underway
- Effective Jan 1, 2024-October 20, 2024: Eagle Creek Fire Closure
- Drones prohibited in wilderness and select recreation sites
- Klickitat Mile One Overnight Use & Large Boat Launch Prohibition
- Guard against car theft
- Check road and weather conditions