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Upcoming prescribed fire activity on the Fremont-Winema National Forest
Release Date: Jun 7, 2019
Contact(s): Tamara Schmidt
LAKEVIEW, Ore. – Due to recent wet weather, firefighters are able to resume prescribed fire operations on the Fremont-Winema National Forest as conditions allow.
On the Lakeview Ranger District, work on the West Drews prescribed fire will be continuing starting Saturday, June 8. Located near Forest Road 3940 and Secret Valley, the goal is to treat up to 600 acres. Ignitions could start as early as tomorrow and may continue through next Wednesday, depending on wind direction and smoke dispersion. Smoke will be visible for approximately 5 days and is expected to travel to the south.
On the Chemult Ranger District, ignition on the RAC prescribed fire is expected to be on Monday, June 10, conditions permitting. The goal is to treat approximately 500 acres south of Highway 138 between mile posts 95 and 92 around 5 miles west of the Diamond Lake Junction. The area is approximately 10 miles southwest of Chemult.
Prescribed fire is applied by trained wildland firefighters under specific conditions, including temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and fuel moisture levels. They occur when the Oregon Department of Forestry Smoke Management Office indicates weather conditions are suitable for smoke dispersal.
Smoke will be visible locally and may be visible up to a week after ignition. It is not expected to impact any nearby communities.
Prescribed fire looks different depending on the area being treated. Area residents and visitors may notice smoke and visible fire, depending on the area. Places where prescribed fires are taking place will be well signed and may have increased fire personnel and traffic.
Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities. The public is asked to be aware of their surroundings, use caution and watch for smoke. Those who are sensitive to smoke are encouraged to be aware of current conditions.
Fire crews monitor prescribed fires to ensure that they are staying within the project area and are meeting the objectives. There is a low probability of prescribed fires escaping.
Prescribed fires are an important tool used by wildland fire managers to reduce hazardous fuels in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and from the forest as part of forest restoration efforts.
Reducing these fuels reduces the risk of devastating wildfires, as well as assisting with fire suppression efforts during the wildland fire season by moderating fire behavior. These activities also improve wildlife habitat and are part of restoring a healthy, fire-resilient forest.
The Lakeview Interagency Fire Center provides information on prescribed fire activities based on Ranger District. For detailed information, visit www.scofmp.org/rx_fire.shtml.
For more information on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema, follow the Forest on Twitter @FremontWinemaNF or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/R6FWNF.
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