Prescribed fire planned for Refuge

BURNS – Firefighters from the Burns Interagency Fire Zone plan to carry out a prescribed burn on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge as soon as March 1, or when weather and fuel conditions allow. The burn area is approximately 946 acres of mixed vegetation – grass, willows, some sage brush and cattails – located south of the P Ranch and P Lane.  

This prescribed fire will remove decadent vegetation and release tied-up nutrients, provide underwater waterfowl food (both plants and invertebrates), increase safe brood-rearing and feeding habitat, remove condensed vegetation within irrigation ditches to provide better water flow and coverage, and reduce catastrophic wildfire potential.  

The fire will be hand-lit and is expected to burn over several days. Smoke will be visible, especially in Frenchglen, Page Springs Campground and Steens Mountain Resort.  

Questions? Call Ryan Curtis, BIFZ Fuels Technician: 541-589-4787 

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