Forest Service fall prescribed burns could bring smoke to Wenatchee Valley, Leavenworth, Manson

WENATCHEE — Smoke from prescribed burns may soon be visible in the Wenatchee Valley, Leavenworth, Plain and the Lake Chelan area as the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest begins its fall burning season.

The Forest Service said crews could begin burning in late September and continue into winter where burn piles remain accessible. Up to 14,026 acres are planned for treatment across six ranger districts in central Washington, as conditions allow.

The largest local projects are in the Entiat and Chelan ranger districts, where up to 3,896 acres of piles are planned and no broadcast burning is scheduled this fall. They include up to 2,941 acres of piles in the Tillicum area 2 miles west of Ardenvoir, up to 640 acres in the First Creek area 5 miles west of Manson, up to 215 acres 2 miles northeast of Ardenvoir and up to 100 acres of Pioneer Fire repair piles 12 miles north of Manson.

In the Wenatchee River Ranger District, 2,157 acres are planned. According to the Forest Service:

• Machine piles on 324 acres 4 miles north of Cashmere will produce smoke that is "highly visible" in the Wenatchee Valley between Peshastin and Cashmere.
• Burning in the Upper Peshastin area, south of Blewett Pass and west of U.S. Highway 97, will be visible along Highway 97 and along U.S. Highway 2 between Leavenworth and Wenatchee.
• Piles on 235 acres 5 miles north of Leavenworth will be visible from Eagle Creek and the Chumstick Highway, and 156 acres 3 miles west of Leavenworth will be visible in Peshastin and Leavenworth.
• Several pile units near Fish Lake and northwest of Plain will be visible in Plain.

Crews will burn pine needles, brush and branches, along with slash and piles left from thinning and past fire suppression work. The agency said every project follows a burn plan and will proceed only when weather and fuel conditions meet safety and air quality standards coordinated with the state Department of Natural Resources. Burning will stop if conditions become unfavorable.

The Forest Service acknowledged public concern about more smoke after a summer of wildfire smoke.

"Even after a smoky summer, prescribed fire is essential for maintaining healthy forests and reducing extreme wildfire behavior," said Brandon Lewis, fire management officer for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. "These burns allow us to safely reduce dense vegetation under controlled conditions, helping prevent the large, destructive wildfires and prolonged smoke events we've experienced in recent years."

The forest is part of the Central Washington Prescribed Fire and Smoke Pilot Project, a partnership with DNR, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, state and county public health districts and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The agency said the pilot adds smoke monitoring and modeling and improves public notification.

Elsewhere, 3,315 acres are planned in the Methow Valley Ranger District near Carlton, Twisp and Winthrop, 1,533 acres of piles south of Cle Elum and up to 3,125 acres in the Naches Ranger District northwest of Yakima.

The Forest Service suggests residents check air quality on the state's fire and smoke map and review the Washington Department of Health's smoke-ready tips. Questions can go to the Wenatchee River Ranger District at 509-548-2550 or the Entiat-Chelan Ranger District at 509-682-4900.