How ODF uses fire to combat wildfires, and ensure healthy forests

22 March 2023

USA – Prescribed burns have been a tactic used by federal and state wildland agencies since the mid-20th century, but the history of these tactics dates back much further.

“Prescribed burns have been used in Oregon, really if you look back historically, for thousands of years,” said Amanda Rau, the Oregon Department of Fire’s Prescribed Burn Coordinator. “Since time immemorial, if you asked the tribes and indigenous people.”

These burns are a preventative measure aimed at burning out highly flammable underbrush, sticks, and grass that could add substantial fuel to a wildfire. These burns also reduce the potential smoke output from wildfires, decreasing the harmful health effects of smoke.

That’s not the only benefit to Oregon’s forests and environment, according to ODF.

“It creates wildlife habitat in many different forms,” Rau said. “Whether that’s fresh new forage for animals to eat, or flowers that bloom that wouldn’t otherwise because certain plants require fire just to bloom and germinate. And then that becomes food for pollinator species.”

These burns are typically scheduled for spring, fall, and winter, with underbrush burns being scheduled during spring and fall, and larger “pile” burns conducted during winter.

Rau says that there are some telltale signs to keep an eye out for that can help you differentiate between a prescribed burn, and a potential wildfire.

“When you see darker smoke that usually means there’s incomplete combustion occurring,” Rau said. “And that means that something’s moving more quickly through the fuels, and it’s not taking its time to consume everything.”

Burns can take weeks or even months to schedule and rely on certain conditions like humidity and moisture levels, wind and other weather events

22. March 2023/by GFMCadmin