Prescribed burn planned for Mill Creek area
By Terry Murry on Thursday, October 13th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – To reduce hazardous fuels surrounding the Mill Creek watershed, the Umatilla National Forest and city of Walla Walla have partnered to implement prescribed burning on 270 acres along the watershed boundary, which is about 13 miles east of Walla Walla.
The weather window for the burn runs from Friday through Oct. 24 and burn operations could take two to five days to complete. Area residents along Mill Creek may experience a short duration of smoke in the evenings and overnight while prescribed burning operations are underway. Smoke is not expected to extend into the Walla Walla city limits.
Access through the prescribed fire area will be restricted on Forest Service Road 65 and Indian Ridge Trail. Temporary closures of up to two hours may be needed during burn operations for the safety of the public and personnel.
Umatilla National Forest officials say the prescribed fire project will also improve forage habitat for big game and restore the area to a more fire-adapted ecosystem, which reduces the risk of a wildfire that causes significant tree mortality.
