September 21, 2021 11:00 a.m. 

As fire conditions moderate throughout the Umpqua Valley, fire officials with the Douglas Forest Protective Association will begin working with farmers, ranchers, and other landowners to conduct prescribed burns.

Kyle Reed of DFPA said the burns may be conducted on fields, pastures, and hillsides to promote productive grazing lands for livestock and to improve habitat for wildlife, all while reducing the buildup of flammable vegetation. Reed said burn permits for backyard debris burning will not be issued at this time.

Over the last ten years, local landowners working with DFPA have completed an average of 3,400 acres of prescribed burns annually throughout the Douglas District. Reed said for many agricultural landowners, fire is used as a tool to prepare their lands for the next growing season by removing noxious weeds, brush, insects and plant disease from their lands. Prescribed burns are also beneficial to firefighters by reducing the buildup of brush and other flammable vegetation throughout the area which is potential fuel for wildfires.

Before fire is introduced onto the landscape, prescribed burns are made safe by the construction of fire trails around the proposed burn site. In addition, landowners must be able to demonstrate that they have the ability and resources in the form of fire suppression equipment and personnel on site to maintain control of the prescribed burn. Once fire trails are approved by the DFPA, and weather conditions are favorable, a permit may be issued to complete the prescribed burn.