October 4, 2022 3:40 a.m. 

Fire management staff at Crater Lake National Park are preparing to implement three prescribed fire projects in the park this fall.

Public Information Officer Marsha McCabe said they include:

*Highway 62 South. This includes 50 acres of piles and material that were cut last year along Highway 62. This starts at the southern boundary of the park and travels 3.5 miles to the north along the roadway

*Mazama Village. This includes 64 acres of piles and material that were cut last spring around Mazama Campground and developed area

*Munson Valley Defensible Space. This includes 25 acres of piles that were cut around historic structures, administrative offices and park housing within Munson Valley

McCabe said fire managers are planning to start burning these piles in the next few weeks and will continue throughout fall as conditions allow. Weather, fire behavior and smoke forecasts are monitored before, during and after the burns to ensure desired fire effects are achieved. Staff will patrol and monitor the fires until they are completely extinguished.

McCabe said the National Park Service uses thinning and prescribed fire as a tool to help reduce the intensity of wildfires by removing excess accumulations of forests fuels that have resulted as a consequence of over 90 years of actively suppressing fires. McCabe said the project will provide needed defensive space around critical park structures but will also improve forest health and protect wildlife habitat by reducing the amount of woody debris that can lead to larger and more intense fire events.

All park roads and trails are expected to remain open during prescribed fire operations. Motorists should watch for signs and reduce their speed, as personnel and equipment are working on and adjacent to the road.

For more information, call the Crater Lake National Park’s Management Officer at 541-594-3062.