Prescribed Burn Planned near Trout Lake – Monday, October 5
Mt. Adams Resource Stewards (MARS) is planning a 20-acre prescribed burn Monday, October 5, west of Trout Lake along Jennings Road on the Cheese Cave Property owned by Dean Enterprises.
The burn is part of a multi-phased fuels reduction project designed to reduce the risk of wildfire to Trout Lake and surrounding communities while improving forest health and resilience. Prescribed fire is an important part of that work – carefully reintroducing fire under controlled conditions before we are faced with it as an uncontrolled wildfire.
We also recognize that smoke matters.
Recent prescribed burning in the Mt. Adams area has resulted in significant smoke impacts for many of us, particularly in the Glenwood Valley. We understand the concern and frustration that creates. Fall burning can be challenging in our area due to overnight and morning conversions that can trap smoke in valleys even when conditions improve later in the day.
Smoke management is therefore an important part of our decision about whether and when to burn. For Monday’s project, the relatively small burn area, previous fuels reduction work, and current weather forecast give us confidence that we can limit the duration and severity of smoke impacts. Our intent is to ignite only when conditions provide an opportunity for smoke to lift and disperse away from populated areas. Conditions will be evaluated before ignition, and the burn will only proceed if they remain appropriate.
Some smoke will be noticeable in and around Trout Lake. We cannot promise a smoke-free burn, but we will work to minimize impacts and will continue to monitor conditions during and after operations.
MARS has been implementing prescribed burns in the Mt. Adams area for nearly a decade and goes to great lengths to ensure public safety, including plans for smoke dispersion. These projects involve extensive preparation, trained personnel, contingency resources, weather monitoring, and coordination with state regulatory agencies. The burn is being conducted under a Washington Department of Natural Resources permit and associated planning and operational requirements. Although Klickitat County’s general outdoor burn restrictions remain in place, permitted prescribed burns meeting applicable state requirements are regulated separately and may proceed when authorized.
We also want to help neighbors who may be particularly sensitive to smoke. MARS has a limited number of portable HEPA air cleaners available to loan to nearby residents who are concerned about smoke impacts. Please send us a direct message if one would be helpful.
Thank you to our neighbors for your patience, questions, and continued engagement as we work toward a more fire-resilient Mt. Adams landscape