Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Announces Prescribed Burns in Eastern Washington

The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife is planning to treat almost 2,700 acres of wildland in Eastern Washington with prescribed burning beginning in April.

Communications Manager Staci Lehman said controlled fire reduces the risk of wildfire and improves habitat.

'Good fire' will hopefully treat 500 acres of the Colockum Wildlife Area southeast of Wenatchee, 90 acres of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area near Naches, and 248 acres of the Methow Wildlife Area northeast of Winthrop.

"Those will be scattered throughout April into May. We have a very small window when we can burn where it's not too wet but it's also not too hot and windy." said Lehman, "The controlled burns can become a risk in themselves. So we start with our little window and we try to fit them all in. Things can shift; it's completely dependent on the weather."

Signs will be posted in advance of each burn to inform recreationists about the fires.

Additional burns on department-managed lands in Eastern Washington could be announced as conditions allow.