November 4, 2024 3:20 a.m.

The Umpqua National Forest is starting its fall prescribed burns.

A UNF release said the Tiller Ranger District is beginning burning Monday along National Forest Service Roads 2950 and 600 and across the road from Three C Campground. Additionally, if conditions allow, Diamond Lake Ranger District will begin burning on Tuesday on the DBug and Highway 230 piles to the east and south of Diamond Lake.

Prescribed burn operations will be initiated as weather patterns shift to cooler temperatures and wetter conditions. Wind speed and direction, temperature, relative humidity, and measurable moisture in vegetation are all taken into consideration. Burning will continue for several months as conditions allow.

On the North Zone, which includes the Diamond Lake, North Umpqua and Cottage Grove ranger districts, the target is 33 units covering 580 acres worth of piles. The release said Tiller Ranger District Fire Management aims to accomplish hundreds of acres of burn piling through the fall and winter months as weather conditions and staffing allows. These piles are created from branches, needles and small logs during stand improvement activities on the forest.

Prescribed burning reduces hazardous fuels which protects human communities from extreme fires, minimizes the spread of pet insects and disease, removes unwanted species that threaten species native to an ecosystem, provides forage for game, improves habitat for threatened and endangered species, recycles nutrients back to the soil, and promotes the growth of trees, wildflowers and other plants.

Pile burning will produce light smoke and may continue to smolder over a short period of time. For smoke impacts, visit: https://www.airnow.gov/