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Good smoke: Prescribed fire season in full swing

A prescribed burn helps rejuvenate forage and wildlife habitat on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area in northcentral Washington. (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
A prescribed burn helps rejuvenate forage and wildlife habitat on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area in northcentral Washington. (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

WILDLIFE HABITAT -- Unlike August, when a smoke plume often signals a wildfire, September into November is the season for intentionally set prescribed burns.

These low-intensity controlled fires on national forests, BLM areas, wildlife refuges and state wildlife lands stimulate growth of wildlife habitat and reduce forest fuels to lessen the risk of major forest fires next season.

Even the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation area is planning a prescribed burn near Fort Spokane on Wednesday, weather permitting.

For details on the benefits of prescribed burns, see my story with before-after photos, "Use prescribed fire as a tool or wildfire will rule."

Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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