Seasonal prescribed burns planned in Northwest Oregon District
Event Description
Eugene, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management plans to implement seasonal prescribed burns in specific locations in May, when conditions are favorable. Locations and dates may vary through the month. Planned burns for the week of May 5 include the following: 30–100 acres on a Nails Knob Timber Sale unit, 10 miles northwest of Eugene; and targeted portions of a 10-acre area at Alsea Falls Recreation Site, 40 miles northwest of Eugene.
Additionally, the BLM is planning small, targeted burning of non-native species starting May 2 within meadow and field areas roughly five acres in size near Coburg, Cottage Grove, and the Salem BLM office. The small, targeted burns are expected to have minimal smoke impacts.
Prescribed fire is part of the BLM’s comprehensive fire management efforts intended to reduce hazardous fuels and improve conditions for seedling survival as well as reduce the risk of future high intensity wildfires to protect our communities and natural resources. Fire is an essential, natural process, having shaped the landscape for thousands of years, releasing and recycling nutrients from vegetation, duff, and soil layers, improving the overall health of plants and animals.
All prescribed fire operations are highly dependent on favorable temperature, moisture, wind, and smoke conditions and will only be implemented when those conditions are right. Under these conditions, fire management specialists can meet the objectives developed by an interdisciplinary team of natural resource specialists. All prescribed burn areas will be fully “mopped up” to extinguish any remaining heat within the units and will be patrolled during and after ignition operations.
What does this mean for you?
- During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight.
- All residents are encouraged to close windows at night to avoid smoke impacts.
- When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down and turn on headlights.
- If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, ask your doctor about how to protect yourself from smoke, and monitor your local air quality map.
BLM fire officials coordinate with the Oregon Department of Forestry’s smoke management program to burn during good weather conditions to minimize the amount of smoke in local communities.
For more information, please visit the BLM Fire Program webpage.
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.