Firefighters To Set Controlled Burns

Fri., Oct. 2, 1998

From Staff Reports

“Hotshot” firefighting crews who had just snuffed a small, late-season forest fire here were on their way to other parts of the Colville National Forest Thursday to pursue “job opportunities” by setting some new fires, Forest Service officials said.

There was no cause for alarm, though.

Officials said the elite firefighting crews will be helping regular Forest Service workers with controlled burns in the Republic and Newport ranger districts. The burns are designed to improve wildlife habitat and reduce fuel for uncontrolled fires by removing the “understory” of brush and small trees.

The fires are expected to stimulate regrowth of plants such as redstem ceanothus, serviceberry and huckleberry.

The Hubbard fire three miles southwest of Northport proved smaller - 240 acres instead of 320 - and easier to control than officials originally thought. The fire was knocked down in two days thanks to cool, damp weather and the availability of 362 unoccupied firefighters and support personnel.

Crews spread grass seed and constructed “water bars” to prevent erosion Wednesday while mopping up the fire.

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