Prescribed burning expected this week in the Blue Mt. Ranger District
By Logan Bagett on Monday, October 20th, 2025 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
JOHN DAY – (Press Release from the Malheur National Forest)
Pile burning operations are planned on the Blue Mountain Ranger District during the week of October 20th, pending all required approvals. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires. We will evaluate weather conditions in the days and hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.
Prescribed fire units planned for the Blue Mountain Ranger District:
- Hunt Pile Unit, in the Galena Project Area, located off Forest Road 2614 near Davis Creek (120 acres)
- Mars Pile Unit, in the Starr Project Area, located off Forest Roads 4955 and 844 near Geary Creek (42 acres)
- Orbit Pile Unit, in the Starr Project Area, located off Forest Road 4955 near Murderers Creek and Percival Creek area (23 acres)
- Pluto Pile Unit, in the Starr Project Area, located off Grant County Road 63 and Highway 395 (63 acres)
- Tin Pile Unit, in the Galena Project Area, located off Forest Road 2055 near Windless Creek and Little Boulder Creek (105 acres)
- Twin and Cup Pile Units, in the Galena Project Area, located off Forest Road 2010 near Vincent Creek (23 acres)
- Reed Pile Unit, Located off Forest Road 4557 near Black Eye Creek
The piles are residual woody material from 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 part of ongoing efforts to reduce wildfire risk.
Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to find more detailed information about air quality. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.
Stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website, social media channels, and the Tri-Forest Prescribed Fire Project map. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins.
