SPOKANE- Annual prescribed fires on Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)-managed lands in Eastern Washington are scheduled to start in early October, as weather conditions allow.
WDFW uses prescribed fires to reduce the risk of future wildfires, reduce the severity of wildfires when they do happen, and to improve wildlife habitat on wildlife areas throughout the state.
The Department conducts prescribed fires every fall and spring on Department-managed public lands statewide. These fires will treat approximately 200 acres of eastern Washington wildlife areas this season, including:
- Rustler’s Gulch unit of the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area, 80 acres in Pend Oreille County, 20 miles west of Newport
- Oak Creek Wildlife Area, Cougar Canyon, 120 acres in Yakima County, 10 miles west of Naches
“The goal of both fires is to reduce fuels that could contribute to catastrophic wildfire, return fire to the landscape in a safe way, and improve habitat for wildlife including big game species,” said Matt Eberlein, WDFW prescribed fire manager.
Prescribed fires are monitored continuously until out, with public safety being the primary concern. Fire crews also work closely with WDFW wildlife area managers on habitat considerations and the best times to burn each area to reduce wildlife impacts and stress.
While the benefits of prescribed burning include increased public safety, improved wildlife habitat, a more fire-resilient landscape, and a better experience for those who use public lands, these fires can be an inconvenience while they are underway, particularly during hunting seasons. We appreciate this concern and acknowledge that the small window of time when the weather is cool but not too wet may require burning during hunting seasons. This short-term impact to access on a small percentage of wildlife area lands is necessary to improve long-term habitat conditions.
“The wildlife areas with prescribed fires in Eastern Washington cover thousands of acres, but only a couple hundred acres will be burned this fall,” said Eberlein. “That leaves thousands more acres available for public access, hunting, and other outdoor recreation.”
Signs are posted in advance of all prescribed fires to inform recreationists, but smoke and visibility can still be an issue. Please watch for fire personnel or equipment and slow down if you experience reduced visibility while driving.
Due to changing weather conditions, some of the burns may not occur, or may only be partially completed. Smoke conditions from the prescribed burns are continually monitored and follow state and local air quality restrictions. If conditions degrade, burns will stop until air quality improves. Additional burns on WDFW-managed eastern Washington lands could be announced if conditions allow.
The Rustler’s Gulch unit prescribed fire is in collaboration with the Selkirk Training Exchange (TREX), a program that provides opportunity for firefighters from regional agencies to advance their qualifications. The South Pend Oreille Fire District will participate to provide training for their personnel, as schedules allow.
The Oak Creek Wildlife Area prescribed fire is a cooperative burn with the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and Columbia TREX participants could potentially work this fire as well.
WDFW stewards over a million acres of public land in Washington, which are managed to protect lands and water for wildlife and people. WDFW works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.