Prescribed Burn Planned at Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area
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REEDSPORT, Ore. - Fire officials with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plan to conduct a controlled burn at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area on July 5 and 6, 2023. The agency will burn approximately 100 acres of grass pasture to improve elk forage and habitat at the popular wildlife viewing area.
The controlled burn is part of the BLM’s yearly efforts to manage grazing conditions at Dean Creek. Currently, the area is home to a wild herd of 80 to 100 Roosevelt elk continues to use the pastures. Fire officials will burn pasture throughout the area, including parcels near Dean Creek Road, and along the main viewing area. The dates of the burn may change based on weather forecasts, or the number of wildland fires nationally or locally. A BLM contractor began mowing large areas of the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area in preparation for the burn this week.
“Burning this landscape is one of the best tools we have to encourage nutrient rich grasses to grow. Green grasses emerge in as little as a week after the burn. This healthy grass is what keep the elk coming back year after year,” said Steve Lydick, Coos Bay District Manager.
The controlled burn may result in short traffic delays on Highway 38, east of Reedsport. The BLM asks motorists to travel cautiously through the Dean Creek area. Traffic controllers will help direct traffic during periods of reduced visibility. The main viewing area road, kiosk and restrooms will remain open during the burn operation. Traffic may be temporarily detoured around certain areas of the viewing area to make room for fire personnel and equipment.
BLM fire officials coordinate with the Oregon Department of Forestry’s smoke management program to burn during good weather conditions to minimize the amount of smoke in local communities. Smoke from the burn may be visible from Reedsport and other locations in the area.
Grayback Forestry, Coos Forest Protective Association, and U.S. Forest Service personnel will assist the BLM with the burning operations.
For additional information on the BLM’s wildland fire program, please visit blm.gov/programs/fire. Photos and video of the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area and past prescribed burns are available on Flickr.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.