February 7, 2023 9:40 a.m.

The Oregon Department of Forestry will be conducting pile burns this week on Dollar Mountain, near Grants Pass, pending favorable conditions.

An ODF Southwest Oregon District release said the project is the second phase of the Dollar Mountain Forest Park Management Plan. Firefighters have a goal of burning pre-stacked piles on 150 of the 320 total acres in an effort to reduce fuels in the area and the wildfire risk to Grants Pass. Grants Pass Fire Rescue will be on scene for portions of the burn that are closer to homes.

The release said with recent rain and more precipitation in the forecast, firefighters are confident in keeping the prescribed burn under control while mitigating the fire risk to the surrounding area. Burns will only take place on public burn days and will be evaluated each morning to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke may be visible throughout the week, and firefighters will remain on scene to monitor the burns while they are ignited.

The park, located northwest of Grants Pass, is owned by the City of Grants Pass. Crews will be thinning out dense brush and clearing out dead or dying vegetation to reduce fuels in the area and improve overall forest health.

The collaborative project includes numerous fire agencies, as well as the Bureau of Land Management and Josephine County.

More information is available at: www.swofire.com.