March 25, 2020 9:50 a.m.
The USDA Forest Service is pausing all spring prescribed fire efforts on national forest lands across Oregon and Washington.
John Giller, Director of Fire and Aviation Management for the Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service, said agency officials “didn’t want to risk introducing smoke from prescribed fires into communities that may be affected by COVID-19”. He said with the pause, “we can better protect those who may also be in higher-risk groups for COVID-19, such as the elderly and those with underlying respiratory conditions”.
The release said while frequent, low-intensity fire is essential to the long-term health of many northwest forests and communities, employee and public safety remains the top priority.