Prescribed Burn Planned near Waxmyrtle Campground

Update 03.10.2026 - Due to weather conditions the planned prescribed burn has been cancelled. It may be reschedule for a later date as conditions allow. 

Florence, Ore., March 9, 2026 — Firefighters on the Siuslaw National Forest are preparing to conduct a 10-acre prescribed burn near Waxmyrtle Campground in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area on Tuesday, March 10. Prescribed fire is part of a greater Oregon Dunes restoration project. Removing dense stands of non-native invasive European beachgrass increases habitat opportunities for the western snowy plover and native plant species.

Trained firefighting personnel will ignite European beachgrass while fire danger is low and monitor the burn to ensure fire does not spread outside the intended area. Like all prescribed burns, this burn will have a pre-approved burn plan that includes a range of parameters to identify the ‘windows’ of opportunity considered for conducting a burn, such as weather and fuel moisture.

Waxmyrtle Campground is located eight miles south of Florence, Ore. While there are no anticipated closures for this prescribed burn, smoke may be visible from Hwy 101 in the Waxmyrtle and Tahkenitch areas. 

If unsure whether smoke or a fire is from a planned burn, citizens can contact their local fire department, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Office at 541-271-6000 or the Central Coast Ranger District at 541-563-8400. Firefighter and public safety is always the top priority during any burning events.