Many Oregon forest
landowners are planning controlled burns to occur whenever wildfire
danger subsides in their areas. These deliberate fires meet a twofold purpose:
§
Prepare logged sites for replanting of young
trees
Prepare logged sites for replanting of young
trees
§
Reduce fuel loads to lower the risk of wildfires
next summer
Reduce fuel loads to lower the risk of wildfires
next summer
Unlike wildfires, which
occur under the worst of conditions, prescribed burns are conducted only when
weather and wind patterns are optimal to carry smoke up and away from
communities and popular recreation sites. And forest operators and wildland
fire agencies staff the sites with fire engines and personnel to prevent the burns
from spreading outside of designated burn units.
occur under the worst of conditions, prescribed burns are conducted only when
weather and wind patterns are optimal to carry smoke up and away from
communities and popular recreation sites. And forest operators and wildland
fire agencies staff the sites with fire engines and personnel to prevent the burns
from spreading outside of designated burn units.
The Oregon Department of
Forestry’s (ODF) meteorologists nail the forecast much of the time. But wind
shifts occasionally push some smoke from prescribed burns into populated areas.
However, most agree the tradeoff is well worth it. Some 150,000 to 200,000 acres of
forestland undergo prescribed burn treatments annually in the state, and the
resulting clean-up of logging debris and excess vegetation greatly reduces the
risk of damaging wildfires on those lands during the summer.
Forestry’s (ODF) meteorologists nail the forecast much of the time. But wind
shifts occasionally push some smoke from prescribed burns into populated areas.
However, most agree the tradeoff is well worth it. Some 150,000 to 200,000 acres of
forestland undergo prescribed burn treatments annually in the state, and the
resulting clean-up of logging debris and excess vegetation greatly reduces the
risk of damaging wildfires on those lands during the summer.
The high intensity of a
wildfire burning in a fuel-rich forest often does long-term damage, wiping out
entire tree stands and in some instances sterilizing the soil. In contrast, a wildfire
in a fire-treated forest typically leaves many of the trees alive.
wildfire burning in a fuel-rich forest often does long-term damage, wiping out
entire tree stands and in some instances sterilizing the soil. In contrast, a wildfire
in a fire-treated forest typically leaves many of the trees alive.
More information about
prescribed forest burning and smoke management can be found on the Department
of Forestry website,
prescribed forest burning and smoke management can be found on the Department
of Forestry website,