The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are planning a prescribed fire operation this spring on 140 acres located south of Loomis. 

 

This is the continuation of a cooperative, cross-boundary burn plan first executed in March 2022. The three agencies worked together to burn the largest of the three units within the plan area – the first time DNR implemented a broadcast burn on state trust lands in more than 15 years.

 

The remaining units include 99 acres of DNR-managed land, 33 acres of WDFW-managed land, and six acres of BLM-managed land.

 

Ignitions may take place as soon as Thursday, April 20. The three agencies are committed to conducting all prescribed fires as safely and effectively as possible, which may require postponing a burn on short notice if weather conditions are not optimal. Members of the public can stay up to date on DNR prescribed fire information by visiting dnr.wa.gov/prescribedfire, following @wadnr_forests on Twitter, and by signing up for email alerts about upcoming burns.

 

Prescribed fires are a common tool used by land managers and conservation groups to reduce the amount of fuel available for wildfires, improve the health of older trees, support new and current wildlife habitats, and recycle soil nutrients back into the ground.

 

Successful completion of a prescribed fire operation enhances public safety by providing wildland firefighters a safer landscape on which to fight a wildfire. It can also lessen the amount of smoke caused by wildfires due to the reduction of fuels.

 

A recent study completed by DNR scientists found that forest health treatments that included prescribed fire in addition to mechanical thinning of tree stands were more likely to be effective when impacted by a wildfire.

 

 

The smoke impacts from prescribed fire are minimal and short-lived compared to those caused by wildfire. Burn crews carefully monitor conditions to limit the effects of smoke on nearby residents.

 

Smoke impacts may reduce visibility on nearby roads, including Sinlahekin Road.

 

Outdoor recreationists and hunters are encouraged to check closure information frequently to ensure the areas they plan to visit are open. All burn areas will have signs posted in advance.

 

 

Administered by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, DNR manages more than 5.6 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural, conservation, and aquatic lands. Of these, more than half are held in trust to produce income to support public schools and other essential services. State trust lands managed by DNR provide other public benefits, including outdoor recreation, habitat for native fish and wildlife, and watersheds for clean water.

 

 

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.

 

 

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

 

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Communications Manager

360-902-1000