Fire Managers at the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area are taking advantage of cooler weather to start fall prescribed fires.
They will occur in the Seven Mile (Rowena) area in Oregon and Catherine Creek area in Washington over the next month as weather permits.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the burns are an ongoing effort to reduce the potential of catastrophic wildfires and improve forest health.
Smoke will be visible generally in the areas where the burns take place. Motorist traveling should use caution and reduce speeds if smoke drifts across Washington State Route 14, Interstate 84, the Historic Columbia River Highway or local roads.
The actual day of ignition for these prescribed burn projects will depend on several factors including appropriate temperature, fuel moisture, wind speed and direction. Prescribe fires will only occur on days when weather conditions for smoke dispersal are present.
Prescribed fires and other mechanical fuels treatment conducted in the Rowena drainage over the past couple of years made a significant difference in battling this summer’s Rowena Fire, according to forest service officials.
When the fire reached these treated areas, fire intensity moderated and firefighters were able to safely build fire lines to stop the forward progression. Negative effects from the wildfire were also noticeably less.
According to the burn severity analysis conducted by the forest service after the Rowena fire, treated areas had less damaging effects than similar untreated areas.
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