Interagency groups complete prescribed burn in support of big game habitat

On October 4 and 5, interagency groups completed a prescribed burn in Whitman County, Washington, in an impressive display of collaboration.

The burn will support big game habitat restoration along the Rock Creek corridor. The site, which is on BLM-managed public land and in the Revere Wildlife Area, is an important wildlife corridor off the Snake River.

Participating groups from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service (Colville and Idaho Panhandle), BLM Idaho Twin Falls District, BLM Oregon Spokane District, and the Spokane District 3 Fire Department all contributed to make the operation a success.

“The prescribed fire objectives were met; there were no control issues; and, more importantly, everyone worked safely and enjoyed the operation,” said Lonnie Newton, Spokane District Fire and Fuels Manager.

The group burned about 360 acres of annual grass-dominated uplands. Now, the BLM will work with the Rock Lake Conservation District to apply herbicides and plant native seeds.

After a successful prescribed burn treatment, the partnership group is excited to put in place the next restoration steps.