Starting this month, fire managers on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (OWNF) will begin prescribed fire projects with the goal of improving forest health and improving public safety. Nearly 8,000 acres are planned for prescribed fire this fall, which includes 2,541 acres in the Methow Ranger District, according to a news release from OWNF. Fewer acres […]
Prescribed burning
USFS cites prescribed burning’s restorative powers
The Methow Valley Ranger District wrapped up its spring prescribed burning about one month ago, but that hasn’t extinguished the debate over the effectiveness and health impacts of these forest treatments.
After years of fire suppression, the U.S. Forest Service has been using prescribed burning as part of its dry-forest restoration strategy since …
Prescribed burns may begin soon in the Methow Valley
If weather conditions are favorable, the U.S. Forest Service may begin prescribed burning in the next two weeks on south-facing slopes in the Fawn Creek and Eightmile Creek drainages near Winthrop, and later this spring in the Burge Mountain area east of Havillah. Areas planned for either spring or fall burning are shown on a […]
County residents blame poor management, environmentalism for 2014–15 wildfires
They had a new audience, but it was a familiar refrain as Okanogan County residents still reeling from the wildfires of the past two summer argued for better forest management — in particular, through logging and grazing, but also thinning and prescribed burning — to reduce fire risk. U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse brought his congressional colleague from Pennsylvania, Glenn “GT” Thompson, to Okanogan County on …
Legislation aims to increase prescribed burning in Washington
Legislation aimed at increasing the use of prescribed fire as a tool to prevent catastrophic wildfires was signed last week by Gov. Jay Inslee.
The legislation directs the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to conduct a pilot project of “forest resiliency burning” in forests east of the Cascade Mountains in coordination with other agencies, and to evaluate the effectiveness of prescribed…
Parlette introduces bills to expand use of prescribed burning
In the wake of two consecutive years of devastating wildfires in her legislative district, State Sen. Linda Evans Parlette (12th District, R-Wenatchee) has introduced two bills that call for expanding prescribed burning to reduce the risk of wildfire in …
Thinning, prescribed burning proposed for Libby, Buttermilk creek watersheds; local reactions mixed
If nature were allowed to run its course, portions of the Libby Creek and Buttermilk Creek watersheds would have experienced natural fires every five to 15 years.
Those fires historically played a role in keeping forests healthy — burning at low intensity, clearing out …
Prescribed burning underway in Methow Valley
Smoke may be visible in the Methow Valley and other areas of Okanogan County in coming weeks as crews burn slash piles from fuel reduction projects on national forest lands. Firefighters have been burning hand piles in the Cub Creek and Loup Loup Summit areas. Those areas will be patrolled over the next several weeks. […]
Forest Service sets plans for prescribed burning this fall
The U.S. Forest Service has announced plans for fall prescribed burning on the Methow Valley and Tonasket ranger districts. Fire managers plan to treat about 500 acres across the Wolf Creek, Fawn Creek and Eightmile Creek drainages by underburning. There are brush piles to be burned in the Cub Creek, Chewuch River, Mt. Hull, Bonaparte […]
Community briefs: May 13, 2015
Eat and shop in Mazama Bring your appetite and shopper’s sharp eye to the Mazama Community Club’s pancake breakfast and flea market on May 23 from 8 a.m.-noon. Cost of the breakfast is $6, or free for children 5 and under. For information about the breakfast or to volunteer as a helper, call 996-7897. If […]
