Learn about the benefits of prescribed burning and follow our progress online this spring on our interactive map

JOHN DAY, PENDLETON and BAKER CITY, Ore. (April 7, 2021) – Fire management officials on the Malheur, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests are preparing to implement spring prescribed burning activities. Prescribed fire is an important way to maintain and improve forest conditions with “good fire” as we reduce the risk of severe wildfire in the future.

Prescribed fire information for the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests is available to the public on our tri-forest online map. The map is labeled and color-coded to show each burn unit’s status: planned, active, or completed. For convenience, forest users can display current and past-year burn units along with National Forest boundaries and State wildlife management boundaries.

Fire history studies have shown that fire has long been a dominant natural process in the Blue Mountains — maintaining open, park-like conditions in low- to mid-elevation forests of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and larch. Prescribed fire has a wide variety of benefits, including reducing dead and down fuels, thinning understory trees, stimulating natural fire-tolerant plants, enhancing forage, reducing the risk of stand- replacement fires, and creating strategic fuel breaks near urban-interface areas. Forest Service prescribed fire programs allows fire to play its natural role on the landscape under controlled conditions.

Fire managers have been working with County, State, and Regional partners to limit smoke in our communities. This is accomplished by coordinating with smoke forecasters at the Oregon Department of Forestry, so burning occurs under conditions that limit smoke entering local communities. Some smoke is likely to be visible from burn units, although prescribed fire managers minimize smoke in communities by selecting smaller burn units near communities, reducing the amount of smoke produced in a single day. Completing burning early in the afternoon also limits smoke settling overnight. Further, burn units are planned to alternate over time to reduce the likelihood of repeated smoke in a single area.

Please note that where and when burning occurs, and how many acres are treated within a prescribed fire unit, will vary due to weather, fuel conditions, smoke dispersion, and other variables. All areas may not be within prescription this spring, and implementation will likely not occur on every acre as planned. Additionally, some project areas may have acres within prescription that are not detailed in the prescribed fire map.

To learn more about current and planned prescribed fires in the area, please visit:

• Online prescribed fire map for the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests
• Blue Mountain Prescribed Fire Council Blog
• Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center
• John Day Interagency Dispatch Center and Burns Interagency Communication Center

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PENDLETON, Ore. - Fire management officials on the Umatilla National Forest are preparing to implement the forest’s fall prescribed burn plan, which could impact camping and hunting opportunities in several hunting units across the forest.  Any associated road and trail closures will go into effect prior to and during burn operations, which typically take 2-5 days to complete. Hunters are advised to plan ahead and avoid camping in the designated prescribed burn areas during the 2020 hunting season.

Frequent, low-intensity fire is essential for healthy forests and reducing the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire caused by excessive fuel buildup. Prescribed burning is an effective tool for removing excessive amounts of brush, shrubs, and trees, while also encouraging the growth of native vegetation.

Prescribed burning is also highly dependent on weather conditions, which have to be within a narrow criteria window in order to use prescribed fire. Factors such as wind speed and direction, temperatures, relative humidity, and fuel moistures are all taken into consideration prior to implementing a prescribed burn operation. With the current rains and moderate temperatures across the Forest, many areas are conducive to successful prescribed fire implementation in the near term.

“From a restoration objective standpoint, late summer and fall provide the best opportunities for the timing of prescribed fires,” said Andrew Stinchfield, Deputy Fire Staff Officer.  “Fire behavior during fall weather conditions are more likely to align with how the native vegetation has adapted to fire.”

The Forest Service recognizes that hunting season coincides with prescribed burning season and can impact hunters, but controlled burns are necessary to reintroduce fire to the landscape and encourage healthy vegetation that will ultimately improve landscapes and forage for big game.

Hunters should be cautious when entering a recently burned area and be aware of increased hazards, particularly snags. Dead or dying trees that remain standing after a fire are unstable, especially in high winds. 

“Don’t camp or linger in a burned area.  And, as always, let someone know your planned route, destination and expected return time,” said Stinchfield.

Each prescribed burn represents many years of planning and preparation to ensure burn operations meet prescriptive conditions that allow for successful burns that provide multiple benefits to resources. The forest works closely with the Oregon Department of Forestry and Washington Department of Natural Resources in accordance with the State’s Smoke Management Plans to determine when, where, and how much is burned on a daily basis.  Potential smoke impacts, looking at volume of smoke, direction of spread, and mixing heights, are determined prior to each burn.  Additionally, Forest personnel have increased coordination measures with the states regarding COVID-19 mitigation, which will be important considerations prior to implementing any burn operations.  The public can monitor smoke and air quality by visiting http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/ or https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.

The Umatilla National Forest has developed a prescribed fire interactive map displaying planned burning activities, which is available at https://tinyurl.com/y8we6ntg.  The interactive map allows the user to zoom in on certain areas and click on a burn unit for more information (such as acreage, status, etc). When burning operations begin the interactive map will be updated to display which burn units are actively burning. Maps of the proposed prescribed burns are also located on InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5808/. Additional information on prescribed burning is available on the Umatilla National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/, on the Forest Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF, or at any forest office. 

For more information about the Umatilla National Forest’s Prescribed Burn program, please contact one of the following Forest Service personnel:

• Tara Mackleit, Pomeroy Ranger - (509) 843-4676

• Joby Sciarrino, Walla Walla Ranger District - (509) 522-6283

• Tommy Mentzer, North Fork John Day Ranger District - (541) 427-5385

• Kristen Marshall, Heppner Ranger District - (541) 676-2130

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Fire management officials on the Pomeroy Ranger District are planning to implement a prescribed burn on Triple Ridge (4302-040 road) today.

The prescribed burn activities will consist of activity slash burning in four timber sale units from the North Park Timber Sale.  The objective of the burn is to reduce activity fuel loading and associated fire hazard.

Additional information about this prescribed burn is available by visiting the Umatilla National Forest’s prescribed fire interactive map. This map displays burning activities and is available at https://tinyurl.com/y8b433th. The interactive map allows the user to zoom in on certain areas and click on a burn unit for more information (such as acreage, status, etc). When burning operations begin the interactive map will be updated to display which burn units are actively burning.

Maps of the proposed prescribed burns are also located on InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5808/. 

Fire management officials on the Heppner Ranger District are implementing a prescribed natural fuel burn today, which is one of two units planned this week.

The Sun Bacon prescribed burn activities are anticipated to take 2-5 days per unit to complete and include 425 acres of grass, brush, and timber located approximately 20 miles south of Heppner and seven miles east of the Morrow County OHV park. The objective of the burns are to improve foraging habitat for big game, reduce long-term wildfire risk through reductions in existing fuel loading, and to restore the ecological functions of a fire adapted ecosystem to the area.

Additional information about this prescribed burn is available by visiting the Umatilla National Forest’s prescribed fire interactive map. This map displays burning activities and is available at https://tinyurl.com/y8b433th. The interactive map allows the user to zoom in on certain areas and click on a burn unit for more information (such as acreage, status, etc). When burning operations begin the interactive map will be updated to display which burn units are actively burning.

Maps of the proposed prescribed burns are also located on InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5808/.

PENDLETON, Ore. - Fire management officials on the Umatilla National Forest are preparing to implement the forest’s fall prescribed burn plan, which could impact camping and hunting opportunities in several hunting units across the forest. Any associated road and trail closures will go into effect prior to and during burn operations, which typically take 2-5 days to complete. Hunters are advised to plan ahead and avoid camping in the designated prescribed burn areas during the upcoming 2019 hunting season.

Frequent, low-intensity fire is essential for healthy forests and reducing the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire caused by excessive fuel buildup. Prescribed burning is an effective tool for removing excessive amounts of brush, shrubs, and trees, while also encouraging the growth of native vegetation.

Prescribed burning is also highly dependent on weather conditions, which have to be within a narrow criteria window in order to use prescribed fire. Factors such as wind speed and direction, temperatures, relative humidity, and fuel moistures are all taken into consideration prior to implementing a prescribed burn operation. With the current rains and moderate temperatures across the Forest, many areas are conducive to successful prescribed fire implementation in the near term.

“From a restoration objective standpoint, late summer and fall provide the best opportunities for the timing of prescribed fires,” said Andrew Stinchfield, Deputy Fire Staff Officer. “Fire behavior during fall weather conditions are more likely to align with how the native vegetation has adapted to fire.”

The Forest Service recognizes that hunting season coincides with prescribed burning season and can impact hunters, but controlled burns are necessary to reintroduce fire to the landscape and encourage healthy vegetation that will ultimately improve landscapes and forage for big game.

Hunters should be cautious when entering a recently burned area and be aware of increased hazards, particularly snags. Dead or dying trees that remain standing after a fire are unstable, especially in high winds.

“Don’t camp or hang out in the burned area. And, as always, let someone know your planned route, destination and expected return time,” said Stinchfield.

Each prescribed burn represents many years of planning and preparation to ensure burn operations meet prescriptive conditions that allow for successful burns that provide multiple benefits to resources. The forest works closely with the Oregon Department of Forestry and Washington Department of Natural Resources in accordance with the State’s Smoke Management Plans to determine when, where, and how much is burned on a daily basis. Potential smoke impacts, looking at volume of smoke, direction of spread, and mixing heights, are determined prior to each burn. All burns will be monitored until a season ending rain or snow occurs.

The Umatilla National Forest has developed a prescribed fire interactive map displaying planned burning activities, which is available at https://tinyurl.com/y8b433th. The interactive map allows the user to zoom in on certain areas and click on a burn unit for more information (such as acreage, status, etc). When burning operations begin the interactive map will be updated to display which burn units are actively burning. Maps of the proposed prescribed burns are also located on InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5808/. Additional information on prescribed burning is available on the Umatilla National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/, on the Forest Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF, or at any forest office.

For more information about the Umatilla National Forest’s Prescribed Burn program, please contact one of the following Forest Service personnel:

• Tara Mackleit, Pomeroy Ranger - (509) 843-4676

• Joby Sciarrino, Walla Walla Ranger District - (509) 522-6283

• Jesse Bohnsack, North Fork John Day Ranger District - (541) 427-5399

• Kristen Marshall, Heppner Ranger District - (541) 676-2130

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In partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Blue Mountain Elk Initiative and Oregon Department of Forestry, fire management officials on the Heppner Ranger District are implementing a large-scale prescribed natural fuel burn today.

The Lovlett prescribed burn is anticipated to take 4-5 days to complete and includes 500 acres of grass, brush, timber litter and timber understory south of Sunflower Flat near Lovlett Creek. The objective of the burn is to improve foraging habitat for big game, reduce long-term wildfire risk through reductions in existing fuel loading, and to restore the ecological functions of a fire adapted ecosystem to the area.

Additional information about this prescribed burn is available by visiting the Umatilla National Forest’s prescribed fire interactive map. This map displays burning activities and is available at https://tinyurl.com/y8b433th. The interactive map allows the user to zoom in on certain areas and click on a burn unit for more information (such as acreage, status, etc). When burning operations begin the interactive map will be updated to display which burn units are actively burning.

Maps of the proposed prescribed burns are also located on InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5808/.

PENDLETON, Ore. – With the recent warmer and drier weather, fire management officials on the Umatilla National Forest are preparing to implement early season prescribed burning activities as soon as Monday, May 13, across portions of the Forest.

“Frequent, low-intensity fire is essential for healthy forests and reducing the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire caused by excessive fuel buildup,” said Andrew Stinchfield, Deputy Fire Staff Officer.

Prescribed burning is an effective tool for removing excessive amounts of brush, shrubs, and trees, while also encouraging the growth of native vegetation. In addition to reducing wildfire risk, prescribed fire also improves overall forest health and resilience to insects and diseases, and enhances habitat for elk, deer, and other wildlife.

Prescribed burning is also highly dependent on weather conditions, which have to be within a narrow criteria window in order to use prescribed fire. Factors such as wind speed and direction, temperatures, relative humidity, and fuel moistures are all taken into consideration prior to implementing a prescribed burn operation.

Each prescribed burn represents many years of planning and preparation to ensure burn operations meet prescriptive conditions that allow for successful burns that provide multiple benefits to resources. The forest works closely with the Oregon Department of Forestry and Washington Department of Natural Resources in accordance with the State’s Smoke Management Plans to determine when, where, and how much is burned on a daily basis. Potential smoke impacts, looking at volume of smoke, direction of spread, and mixing heights, are determined prior to each burn. All burns will be monitored until a season ending rain or snow occurs.

Early season burning operations typically begin in spring (or when the snow melts) and occur until the beginning of fire season. The Umatilla National Forest has developed a prescribed fire interactive map displaying planned burning activities, which is available at https://tinyurl.com/y8b433th. The interactive map allows the user to zoom in on certain areas and click on a burn unit for more information (such as acreage, status, etc). When burning operations begin the interactive map will be updated to display which burn units are actively burning. Maps of the proposed prescribed burns are also located on InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5808/. Additional information on prescribed burning is available on the Umatilla National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/ or at any forest office.

For more information about the Umatilla National Forest’s Prescribed Burn program, please contact one of the following Forest Service personnel:

• Tara Mackleit, Pomeroy Ranger - (509) 843-4676

• Joby Sciarrino, Walla Walla Ranger District - (509) 522-6283

• Jesse Bohnsack, North Fork John Day Ranger District - (541) 427-5399

• Kristen Marshall, Heppner Ranger District - (541) 676-2130

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Fire management officials on the North Fork John Day Ranger District are implementing a 173 acre prescribed burn within the Meadowbrook FTJ1 burn unit, located approximately 7 miles south from Dale, Oregon and 6 miles east of Meadowbrook Summit.

The Meadowbrook prescribed burn is anticipated to take 1 day to complete and primarily consists of grass and juniper with some mixed pine. The objective of the burn is to improve foraging habitat for big game, reduce long-term wildfire risk through reductions in existing fuel loading, reduce material that is 0-3” in diameter to less than 9/10ths per acre, and to restore the ecological functions of a fire adapted ecosystem to the area. Hunters and forest visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and avoid the area during prescribed burning activities.

Additional information about this prescribed burn is available by visiting the Umatilla National Forest’s new prescribed fire interactive map. This map displays burning activities and is available at https://tinyurl.com/y8b433th. The interactive map allows the user to zoom in on certain areas and click on a burn unit for more information (such as acreage, status, etc). When burning operations begin the interactive map will be updated to display which burn units are actively burning.

Maps of the proposed prescribed burns are also located on InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5808/.

Fire management officials on the North Fork John Day Ranger District are implementing a 1,000 acre prescribed burn within the Meadowbrook FT0 D and G burn units, located southwest from Dale, Oregon and north of Meadowbrook Summit. The burn units are on the 3963 Rd in the Hinton Creek drainage. Smoke may be visible along Highway 395.

The Meadowbrook prescribed burn is anticipated to take 5 day to complete and primarily consists of grass, open pine, and some juniper. The objective of the burn is to improve foraging habitat for big game, reduce long-term wildfire risk through reductions in existing fuel loading, and to restore the ecological functions of a fire adapted ecosystem to the area. Hunters and forest visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and avoid the area during prescribed burning activities.

Additional information about this prescribed burn is available by visiting the Umatilla National Forest’s new prescribed fire interactive map. This map displays burning activities and is available at https://tinyurl.com/y8b433th. The interactive map allows the user to zoom in on certain areas and click on a burn unit for more information (such as acreage, status, etc). When burning operations begin the interactive map will be updated to display which burn units are actively burning.

Maps of the proposed prescribed burns are also located on InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5808/.

Fire management officials on the Walla Walla Ranger District are implementing a 150 acre prescribed burn within the Alder Creek burn unit, located approximately 22 miles North of Elgin, OR.

The Alder Creek prescribed burn is anticipated to take 1 day to complete and primarily consists of grass, brush and scattered timber. The objective of the burn is to improve foraging habitat for big game, reduce long-term wildfire risk through reductions in existing fuel loading, and to restore the ecological functions of a fire adapted ecosystem to the area. Hunters and forest visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and avoid the area during prescribed burning activities.

Additional information about this prescribed burn is available by visiting the Umatilla National Forest’s new prescribed fire interactive map. This map displays burning activities and is available at https://tinyurl.com/y8b433th. The interactive map allows the user to zoom in on certain areas and click on a burn unit for more information (such as acreage, status, etc). When burning operations begin the interactive map will be updated to display which burn units are actively burning.

Maps of the proposed prescribed burns are also located on InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5808/.