Willamette National Forest to Begin Prescribed Fires

Springfield, OR – (April 21, 2025) The Willamette National Forest is planning to begin prescribed fire operations this week and estimates the work to continue through the month as weather conditions allow. Fire staff use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

Upcoming prescribed fires planned for the area, depending on weather conditions, include: 

• The High Timber sale area on Dead Mountain, northwest of Oakridge and Westfir;
• Three units on Buckhead Mountain, just north of Oakridge and Westfir.

Smoke will likely be visible from those communities and from Highway 58. Those areas may close to the public for several days for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns. 

Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to find more detailed information about air quality. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.

Fire staff will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.

Stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website, social media channels, and InciWeb, the interagency incident information system. Fire staff will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins.  

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.