Malheur National Forest to Begin Fall Pile Burning
By Mindy Gould on Friday, October 25th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY AND HINES (October 25, 2024) — With the onset of cooler weather, fire resources on the Malheur National Forest are preparing to implement pile burning operations beginning as soon as next week and continuing through the next several months. Project areas that are being monitored for potential pile burning, of which will be completed as conditions allow, are:
Blue Mountain Ranger District:
- Crown Project Area
- Magone Project Area
- Pluto Project Area
- Starr Project Area
- Orbit Project Area
- Twin Project Area
- Hunt Project Area
- Tin Project Area
The piles are concentrations of leftover woody materials associated with vegetation management activities conducted to help maintain and restore forest and ecosystem health while reducing hazardous fuels. Removing these large accumulations of hazardous fuels during the fall and winter months are a part of an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk.
Pile burning implementation is weather dependent and will be conducted only under appropriate conditions to ensure safety. These conditions include temperature, wind, fuel moisture, and smoke weather forecast. When all these criteria are met, firefighters implement, and monitor to ensure it meets forest health and public safety goals including air quality.
For additional information about the Malheur National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/malheur or call the Supervisor’s Office at 541-575-3000.
