Local News

Prescribed Fire Treatment West of Winthrop Today

By NCBI
May 01, 2012

US Forest Service firefighters completed prescribed burning on about 10 acres of national forest land, west of Winthrop Washington, today.

There was good fuel consumption as the fire cleaned-up branches and debris left behind from prior thinning treatments. Firefighters finished ignition about 1:00 this afternoon and observed that the winds were lifting and mixing smoke around the 3000' elevation level and above.

Residual smoke from the treatment is expected to settle overnight, with winds tomorrow forecasted out of the west and southwest.

Thursday's forecast calls for another weather system with increased chance of rain.

The burn was part of the comprehensive Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Restoration Strategy. Forest Service managers began implementing the strategy in 1999 to reduce the threat of uncharacteristically severe fires and bring resiliency to unhealthy forest ecosystems.

All Okanogan-Wenatchee N.F. controlled burns are weather-dependent and fire specialists will cease burning as soon as possible if objectives are not being met or weather conditions are unfavorable. Their primary concerns include favorable winds that can minimize smoke impacts to public health and the risk of fire escape.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources regulates smoke management and must approve all controlled burns on national forests within the state. Okanogan-Wenatchee N.F. fire specialists closely coordinate with the state's air quality managers, after they receive burn approval.

For more information about prescribed burning on the Methow Valley Ranger District, please call 509-996-4040.

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