MEDFORD, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is set to begin prescribed burning operations across southwest Oregon this month, as part of an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risks and promote forest health. The initiative will involve controlled burns on approximately 1,500 acres of public lands, strategically scheduled as temperatures rise and fuels begin to dry out.
Al Mason, Fire Management Officer for the BLM Medford District, emphasized that these burns are critical for both public and firefighter safety during wildfire season. “This effort not only reduces the potential for catastrophic wildfires, but it also plays a vital role in restoring forest functions,” Mason said.
The prescribed burns, which involve setting low-intensity fires to the forest floor, are carefully planned and executed to ensure both safety and ecological benefits. These operations are also subject to a strict approval process, allowing for close monitoring and control. Residents in areas such as the Applegate Valley near Grants Pass, and north of Butte Falls, should expect to see smoke as the burns take place.
The BLM has already made progress in reducing fire hazards by completing 3,700 acres of handpile burning over the winter. These measures complement the prescribed burns planned for the spring, further contributing to the overall wildfire mitigation strategy in the region.
For more information on prescribed burns and other fire management activities in the area, residents are encouraged to visit the Rogue Valley Interagency Communication Center’s website.