Good fire planned on over 10,000 acres across eastern Cascades

Wenatchee - Starting this month, fire managers from Naches to the Okanogan Highlands will be returning fire to dry, fire adapted landscapes along the east slope of the Cascades. Excluded from the ecosystem for nearly 100 years, frequent, low-intensity fire is essential for healthy forests and better protected communities.
 “Summer after summer megafires teach us that there is no future in eastern Washington without fire and smoke” said Forest Fire Staff Officer, Rob Allen. “Prescribed fire is a large part of the solution for how we need to live with fire in our forests and communities.”
 While more than 10,000 acres are planned this spring, fewer acres may be completed if conditions are not favorable. Conditions include correct 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.
 “Clean air is important to everyone,” added Allen. “Each spring and fall burn helps reduce the intensity of future wildfire smoke while increasing firefighter and public safety.”
 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 information, maps, and updates:
• Facebook: facebook.com/OkaWenNF/
• Twitter: twitter.com/OkaWenNF
• Text message updates: text ‘follow OkaWenNF’ to 40404
• Interactive map: tinyurl.com/harqnw8
Spring 2018 priority prescribed fire by Ranger District:
Methow Valley Ranger District:
Project Name            Acres        Location
Goat                          884           Mazama
Urchin                       132           Winthrop
Eightmile Bottom     479           Winthrop
Upper Rendezvous  683          Winthrop
Ortell                         1,066        Winthrop