Prescribed Pasture Burns Scheduled Across Douglas County This Week

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Residents may see smoke from several areas of Douglas County this week as permitted prescribed pasture burns take place near Roseburg, Oakland, Winston and Myrtle Creek.

The Oregon Department of Forestry has confirmed that permits were issued for five burns scheduled between Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Thursday, Sept. 17. Smoke could be visible from Interstate 5, nearby highways and several surrounding communities.

Scheduled Burns

• Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. - A burn in the 17000 block of North Bank Road. Smoke may be visible from I-5, North Bank Road, Roseburg, Sutherlin, Wilbur and Glide.
• Tuesday, Sept. 15, from noon to 5 p.m. - A burn in the 1200 block of North Old Town Road near Oakland. Smoke may be visible from I-5, Oakland, Sutherlin, Fair Oaks, Wilbur, Umpqua, Nonpareil and Roseburg.
• Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 3 to 5 p.m. - A burn in the 1000 block of Coos Bay Wagon Road. Smoke may be visible from I-5, Highway 42, Camas, Lookingglass, Tenmile, Winston, Green and Roseburg.
• Thursday, Sept. 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. - A burn in the 4000 block of Gazley Road near Myrtle Creek. Smoke may be visible from I-5, Canyonville, Myrtle Creek and Days Creek.
• Thursday, Sept. 17, beginning at 2 p.m. - A burn in the 1300 block of Fairway Drive near Myrtle Creek. Smoke may be visible from I-5, Myrtle Creek, Canyonville, Round Prairie, Tri-City, Riddle and Days Creek. Smoke from the burn could remain visible through Friday, Sept. 18.

Why Pasturelands Are Burned

Prescribed pasture burns are used to improve grazing lands for livestock, enhance wildlife habitat and reduce the amount of vegetation that could fuel a wildfire. They can also help control noxious weeds, brush, insects and plant diseases.

Historically, local landowners have conducted prescribed burns on approximately 10,000 acres each year throughout Douglas County to improve pasturelands and maintain healthy landscapes.

The burns can also make future wildfires easier to contain by reducing the buildup of grasses, brush and other combustible vegetation. Fire officials say wildfires have been more easily contained in some areas where prescribed burning has been conducted regularly.

Each burn is planned before ignition. Fire trails must be established, adequate personnel and fire suppression equipment must be available, and weather conditions must be favorable. Burns are scheduled when expected fire behavior and atmospheric conditions will help direct smoke away from larger population centers and limit impacts on nearby communities.

The permits were confirmed by ODF, but the agency’s notice did not identify who will conduct each burn.

Additional burn locations are awaiting confirmation. More information is expected as those plans are finalized.