FORESTS – Prescribed burns continue to be ignited around the region in efforts to reduce fuels during spring that could prevent larger fires in the heat of summer.
The burns on national forests and state wildlife areas also improve wildlife habitat.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is conducting burns ranging from 27 to 1,000 acres on parts of the Sinlahekin, Scotch Creek, and Sherman Creek wildlife areas in northeast Washington.
The project areas range from grasslands to ponderosa pine stands that have been thinned and currently contain logging debris and slash.
WDFW Wildlife Area Fuels Manager Tom Leuschen said controlled burns are monitored constantly until they are out and signs will be posted to alert recreationists about them.
“Recent wildfires demonstrate the importance of conducting controlled burns,” Leuschen said. “By burning off brush and other fuels, we can reduce the risk
