Vale District BLM plans seasonal prescribed fire operations
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, October 31st, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY – (Release from the Bureau of Land Management) As temperatures begin to drop and the first seasonal precipitation appears, the Vale District BLM is gearing up for its fall, winter, and spring prescribed fire projects.
“Prescribed fire is a vital management tool used to reduce hazardous fuel buildup and restore rangeland ecosystems,” said Vale District Assistant Fire Management Officer – Fuels Justin Robinson. “These fires are executed under specific conditions, including temperature, relative humidity, fuel moisture, and wind speed, ensuring safety and effectiveness.”
Exact timing of prescribed burns is contingent on local weather and fuel conditions, with planned projects set to occur in designated areas such as the Castle Rock Area and Durkee from November through early May 2025. Each of these operations is the result of extensive planning and preparation, underscoring their importance in natural resource management and the comprehensive fire management program of the Vale District BLM.
Prescribed fires enhance wildlife habitat and contribute to long-term ecosystem integrity by mitigating the risk of severe wildfires. Fire plays a crucial role in shaping our landscapes, recycling nutrients from vegetation and soil, and ultimately improving the health of both plants and animals.
This fall, burning will focus on the Northwest Malheur Project, with additional operations in the Baker Resource Area if funding and favorable weather conditions allow.
Malheur Field Office prescribed fire treatment areas include:
Hat Butte – 758 acres of machine piles 23 miles north/northwest of Juntura;
Duck Pond – 1,388 acres of hand piles, 18 miles north/northwest of Juntura;
West Castle Rock Unit 1 – 393 acres of machine pile, 21 miles north/northwest of Juntura;
West Castle Rock Unit 3 – 931 acres of hand pile, 19 miles north/northwest of Juntura.
Prescribed fire treatment on the Baker Field Office is planned for Gold Hill – 80 acres of hand pile, 4 ½ miles southeast of Durkee.For additional information, contact Larisa Bogardus at 541-523-1407 or lbogardus@blm.gov.
