Prescribed fire (controlled burn) is used to reduce the risk of large catastrophic wildfires and increase public and firefighter safety, as well as meet a variety of resource management objectives. This planned ignition allows agencies to reduce hazardous fuels and restore habitat and ecosystems. Three general types of prescribed fire are pile burning, understory/under burning, and broadcast burning. Any controlled burning must first get clearance from smoke management officials at the Oregon Department of Forestry or the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

For more information and background on the prescribed burns program at the Oregon/Washington BLM office visit our prescribed burn background information page