HOOD RIVER, Ore. (September 12, 2024) — To reduce wildfire hazards and improve forest health, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area will conduct prescribed understory and pile burning in the eastern Gorge this fall and possibly into the winter months. The focus this year will be on select areas within Klickitat County, Washington, between Courtney Road and Tracey Hill, located east of Bingen, Washington.
Prescribed burning is highly dependent on weather conditions, which must be within a narrow criteria window to use prescribed fire. Factors such as wind speed and direction, temperatures, relative humidity, and moisture levels of understory vegetation are all taken into consideration prior to implementing a prescribed burn operation.
“We anticipate coming into a weather window in the next month where temperatures, humidity, and ground moisture are just right for a successful prescribed burn,” said Roland Rose, Fuels Manager for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Frequent, low-intensity fire is essential for healthy forests and reducing the risk of high severity wildfire. Prescribed burning is an effective tool for removing large amounts of vegetation and accumulated woody debris from the forest understory. In addition, prescribed burns help to recycle soil nutrients, improve wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and increase resiliency of the landscape to the effects of wildfire.
Prescribed burning only occurs on days when the Washington State Smoke Management Office determines weather conditions are conducive for ample smoke dispersal. The Scenic Area will consider smoke impacts to local communities and businesses in the area prior to burning. Smoke may be visible on Washington State Route 14 and Interstate 84 during the prescribed burns. When smoke is present, motorists should reduce speed and turn on headlights.
Once specific dates for burning are confirmed, details will be posted on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Facebook and Twitter pages. Those with respiratory illnesses or concerns about potential impacts to agricultural interests can request to be on a special call list for advance notifications by contacting the National Scenic Area office.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area:
Information: (541) 308-1700
X: @CRGNSA
Additional information about the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/crgnsa.
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