Smoke may be visible from Malheur National Forest prescribed burn
By Logan Bagett on Wednesday, October 18th, 2023 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
JOHN DAY / SENECA – (Press Release from the Malheur National Forest)
Firefighters on the Malheur National Forest will be resuming prescribed fire operations late this week, weather conditions permitting.
On the Blue Mountain Ranger District, ignitions are planned in Soda Bear units 9C and 9G beginning Thursday, October 19, 2023, and continuing through the weekend. Approximately 405 acres are planned for treatment. These units are located southeast of Bear Valley along Forest Road 1619. Fire personnel will monitor the units for several days after completion.
The public may see and smell smoke throughout the operations. Visibility on roads may be reduced and drivers near the project area are encouraged to use caution.
Each prescribed burn is designated to accomplish specific objectives related to increasing forest health. Prescribed burns will be conducted only under appropriate conditions to ensure firefighter and public safety. Appropriate conditions include correct temperatures, wind, fuel moisture, and smoke weather forecast. When all these criteria are met, firefighters implement, monitor, and patrol the burn to ensure the forest health and public safety goals are met.
Prescribed fire information is available to the public on a tri-forest online map. The map is labeled and color-coded to show each burn unit’s status: planned, active, or completed. Additionally, forest users can view other features including current and past-year burn units, National Forest boundaries and State wildlife management boundaries.
Updates will be posted on the Malheur National Forest Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MalheurNationalForest.
For additional information about the Malheur National Forest, visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/malheur or call the Supervisor’s Office at 541-575-3000.
