Pinecroft Burn Planned To Restore Native Plants

Thu., March 9, 1995

Alison Boggs Staff Writer

The state Department of Natural Resources wants to burn 15 acres of a nature preserve in the Spokane Valley to help restore its ecosystem.

The burn is tentatively set for noon on March 22 at Pinecroft Natural Area Preserve, said Guy Gifford of the DNR. The natural area is just west of Walk in the Wild zoo.

“We need the heat of the day to get a clean burn,” Gifford said. “If you burn earlier, it’s still wet from dew.”

The primary purpose of the burn, which should last two to three hours, is to restore the area to its original plant ecosystem, a high quality forest of ponderosa pine, bunchgrass and deciduous shrubs.

“You start seeing greenery within weeks after the burn,” Gifford said. Burning also could help control weed invasion and stimulate grass growth.

The burn is the third step taken to preserve the 104-acre area. After the land was purchased in February 1993, it was fenced in for protection, then sprayed with herbicides to help control noxious weed growth.

All residents whose property abuts the preserve have been sent a letter informing them of a public meeting to be held March 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Trent Elementary. They are invited to attend and voice any concerns.

“If we get a lot of flak, we may have to re-think it,” Gifford said, adding that he does not anticipate any problems.

The DNR manages about 24,400 acres in 44 nature preserves throughout the state. The preserves vary in size and include habitats such as grasslands, wetlands, high and low elevation forests and cliffs.

DNR and Spokane Valley firefighters conducting the burning will try to direct smoke to the north or northeast, away from the site, Gifford said.

xxxx Public meeting The state Department of Natural Resources will hold a public meeting March 13 at Trent Elementary, 3303 N. Pines Road, to discuss plans for a prescribed burn at Pinecroft Natural Area Preserve. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. The DNR will be taking written comments about the proposed burn until March 20. Those should be mailed to: Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Attn: Guy Gifford, P.O. Box 190, Colville, Wash. 99114.