WENATCHEE, Wash., March 28, 2024
Media Contact: Robin DeMario, 509-664-9292
Media Advisory
Prescribed burning smoke will be visible to central Washington communities in April
Who: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service crews.
What: Approximately 800 acres of prescribed burning operations.
When: April 1-19. Burning will occur April 1-12 in Number 2 Canyon and April 8-19 in the Beehive area.
Where: Two separate prescribed burning operations will be occurring--one near the Martin Ranch area in Number 2 Canyon located 4 miles west of Wenatchee, and the other in the Beehive area located 6 miles southwest of Wenatchee, WA.
Why: To better protect nearby communities, restore healthy and resilient forests by reducing the quantity of burnable fuels that would potentially feed wildfires, help recycle nutrients back into the soil, promote growth of fire adapted and native vegetation, and help reduce the risk and intensity of future wildfires.
Residents of Wenatchee, Cashmere, Dryden, and possibly Peshastin may see smoke from underburning operations occurring south and west of Wenatchee in April. Forest Service crews will be underburning 400 acres in the Martin Ranch area of Number 2 Canyon on April 1 through April 12, and another 400 acres in the Beehive area south of Wenatchee, WA, on April 8 through April 19.
No road closures will occur, but forest users are asked to drive slowly in areas where fire personnel and equipment are working. Information signs will be placed along Number 2 Canyon Road advising people when burning is occurring. Beehive Road will remain closed, it normally does not open until late spring.
The right conditions for prescribed fire include correct temperature, wind, fuel moisture, and ventilation for smoke. When these criteria are met, firefighters implement, monitor, and patrol each burn to ensure it meets forest health and public safety objectives while following air quality standards. All Okanogan-Wenatchee N.F. prescribed burns are weather and prescription dependent and fire specialists will cease burning if objectives are not being met.
Prescribed burns do not occur when burn bans are in effect. If a prescribed burn has begun, and a burn ban is determined, burning operations will cease as soon as possible.
Please contact Wenatchee River Ranger District at 509-548-2550 for more information.
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