Vale BLM Plans Prescribed Burns
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Vale, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Vale District planning prescribed burns throughout the fall and winter in Malheur and Baker Counties.
Prescribed burning occurs within narrow windows of time, in which weather conditions are appropriate for safe burning activities. Minimizing the impact of any resulting smoke is another priority. The Vale District performs prescribed burns according to the Oregon Smoke Management Plan. The Oregon Smoke Management Plan provides forecasts and recommendations for prescribed burning in order to limit the impact of smoke on the public. These forecasts and recommendations include information like mixing height, transport winds, wind direction, wind strength, and ventilation.
The Vale District began prescribed burning operations this week in the Rooster Comb area south of Baker City, which is within the Mormon Basin area of operation. So far, the Vale District has burned 62 acres of a planned 500 acres in Rooster Comb. The next planned burn will be sometime next week in the Mormon Basin area of Baker County.
Prescribed burning is used to reduce the risk of wildfire and as a precaution to protect public and firefighter safety. This is accomplished by the careful and controlled burning of excess fuel loads in areas where wildfire could occur. Prescribed burning also has an important role beyond reducing hazardous fuel loads— it is a key part of numerous resource management objectives, including restoring habitats and ecosystems.
Wildfire is a natural part of the ecosystem, and by conducting prescribed burns, land management agencies are able to emulate the natural fire cycle while avoiding the risk of a catastrophic or uncontrolled fire. These prescribed burns are executed under the strict supervision of fire suppression personnel during the fall, winter and early spring seasons. With the careful application of these controlled, low-intensity fires, fire can be safely introduced to its natural role in the forests and rangelands.
In total, the Vale District will be burning approximately 2,400 acres of piles in Baker County and northern Malheur County this fall and winter. Pile burning will occur in the Mormon Basin area, north of Durkee, along the outskirts of Baker City and at two locations south of Ironside.
There may be smoke visible on active ignition days, as well as the days following.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.