Forest Service Applies Good Fire to Local Areas

Locals near the Wenatchee-Okanogan National Forest that noticed smoke in the hills Tuesday need not worry.

Public Affairs Officer Robin DeMario said the Forest Service was simply taking advantage of conditions that are conducive for a type of good fire called hand-pile burning.

"Pile burning is where we ignite stacks of either hand-piled or machine-piled cut vegetation that's resulted from fuel management activities or timber sales," DeMario stated.

DeMario says prescribed burning programs are integral to helping restore the forest to a state where it is more adapted to threats such as wildfire and insect infestation.

"If we can burn these areas, wind conditions allow us to put a little bit of smoke into the air." explained DeMario, "That is much better than having a summertime full of smoke every day from wildfires. So it's very beneficial that we can get in during the spring and fall when these windows of opportunity are here."

Good fire was used in areas around Dill Creek near Entiat, McClure Mountain south of Twisp, the Twenty-five Mile Creek drainage outside of Chelan, Dry Ridge near Naches, the Bailey Unit 20 miles northeast of Omak, and South Cle Elum Ridge near Cle Elum.