Thousands Of Acres In Washington To Burn This Fall

We've made it through the summer without much of choking smoke we experienced last year. Fire is devastating, it's expensive and it also nature's way to regulate.

Nature is about to get some help. A US Forest Service news release reveals that from the Canadian border to south of Yakima, firefighters in Central Washington are planning to burn thousands of acres this fall to increase forest health and protect nearby communities. Excluded from the ecosystem for nearly 100 years, frequent, low-intensity fire is essential for restoring public lands and the communities who depend on them.

11,000 acres are planned this fall, weather permitting which includes temperature, wind, fuel moisture and ventilation for smoke. When these criteria are met, firefighters implement, monitor, and patrol each burn to ensure it meets forest health and public safety goals including air quality.

Burns are planned for Okanogan, Chelan and Kittitas Counties and in western Yakima County ,

Residents and visitors can expect to see and smell some smoke each day during burning operations. For more information on smoke and public health, please visit: wasmoke.blogspot.com

Real-time prescribed fire maps and updates:

· Facebook: facebook.com/OkaWenNF/

· Twitter: twitter.com/OkaWenNF

· Text message: text ‘follow OkaWenNF’ to 40404 (Apple)

· Interactive map: tinyurl.com/harqnw8

· Phone: 509-996-4040

Categories: Wildfires