As fall weather finally begins to take hold after the long wildfire
season, many forest landowners are shifting to another form of fire. Prescribed
burning removes downed woody material from the forest, reducing wildfire risk
when next summer rolls around. And when conducted following timber harvest,
these controlled fires help prepare the soil for replanting of young trees.
In addition to clearing excess vegetation that would otherwise compete with
young trees soon to be planted, prescribed burning releases nutrients into the
soil to jumpstart their growth.
Oregon’s Forest Practices Act, the first in the
nation, requires replanting after logging.
nation, requires replanting after logging.
To minimize smoke intrusions into populated areas,
Oregon Department of Forestry meteorologists daily monitor weather conditions,
and issue forecasts and burning instructions throughout the fall prescribed
burning season.
Oregon Department of Forestry meteorologists daily monitor weather conditions,
and issue forecasts and burning instructions throughout the fall prescribed
burning season.
To prevent excessive smoke caused by too many burns
at one time, the weather forecasters coordinate hundreds of burning requests
from private and public forest landowners.
at one time, the weather forecasters coordinate hundreds of burning requests
from private and public forest landowners.
In contrast to prescribed burns, which take place
in fall and also spring, large wildfires typically occur in summer when weather
conditions often trap smoke in populated valleys for an extended period.
in fall and also spring, large wildfires typically occur in summer when weather
conditions often trap smoke in populated valleys for an extended period.
Since 1972, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF)
has regulated forestland burning in the state under the Oregon Smoke Management
Plan. Though smoke intrusions into populated areas occasionally occur due to
unexpected changes in weather and wind conditions, ODF’s oversight of
prescribed burning minimizes such occurrences.
has regulated forestland burning in the state under the Oregon Smoke Management
Plan. Though smoke intrusions into populated areas occasionally occur due to
unexpected changes in weather and wind conditions, ODF’s oversight of
prescribed burning minimizes such occurrences.
More information on prescribed forest burning can
be found online, www.oregon.gov/odf
be found online, www.oregon.gov/odf