A prescribed fire operation to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire while promoting forest health and improving wildlife habitat near Ellensburg may begin as soon as Monday, April 13
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is planning a prescribed fire operation this spring on up to 900 acres of state trust lands about 11 miles west of Ellensburg. This is the continuation of a prescribed burn plan partially completed in 2025.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is committed to conducting all prescribed fires with safety as the number one priority. Staff follow a burn plan drafted to guide operations within a specific range of optimal weather and ground conditions for the prescribed burn to meet its objectives.
This burn is focused primarily on reducing the risk of high-severity wildfire in the area by consuming slash and surface-level fuels. It will also accelerate natural regeneration on the landscape and reduce the threat of insect and disease outbreaks.
Because safety is paramount when conducting prescribed burns, slight changes to expected conditions the day of a burn may require delaying or postponing a burn on short notice.
Please sign up for the notification system on the DNR burn portal website to receive location-specific alerts about upcoming prescribed burns.
This burn is within the boundaries of the Central Washington Prescribed Fire Smoke Management Pilot Project Federal, state, and local organizations are working together in Chelan and Kittitas Counties to reduce wildfire risk through increased use of prescribed fire and other fuel management strategies, while minimizing public health impacts from smoke by strengthening community preparedness and implementing smoke management techniques.
Smoke Management and Closure Information
Though the smoke impacts from prescribed fire are minimal and short-lived compared to those caused by wildfire, those who are sensitive to wildfire smoke should be prepared to take similar precautions for a prescribed fire in their area:
- Check local air quality at fire.airnow.gov during and after a prescribed burn.
- Children and youth, older adults, pregnant people, and people with chronic health conditions should take steps to reduce exposure when it is smoky. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.
- If smoke worsens:
-Stay indoors and close windows, if possible. Keep windows closed at night.
-Wear an N95 mask if you must be outside when it is smoky.
-Limit duration and intensity of outdoor physical activity. - If you are unable to maintain clean air at home, go elsewhere for cleaner air such as a friend or family's place, a public space, or unimpacted area.
Smoke may be visible on nearby roadways. Vehicle access to the burn area is currently under seasonal closure. The area is closed to both vehicle and foot traffic of all types during burn operations.
Outdoor recreationists and hunters are always encouraged to check closure information frequently to ensure the areas they plan to visit are open. All burn areas will have signs posted in advance.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Will Rubin
DNR Communications Manager
Phone: 360-764-0854
