Balsamroot Design

Bluebunch Wheat Grass reviving after a fire. No star thistle here, and a new abundance of charcoal in the soil increasing the water holding capacity and organic mater in the soil. Constant observation is helping my understanding how fire effects an ecosystem.

Many ecosystems in the PNW are fire adapted. It’s impressive to see fire being used as a powerful tool to support the health of the ecosystem

“Frequent, low-intensity fire is essential for forest health and to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire caused by excessive fuel buildup. Prescribed burning is an effective tool for removing excessive amounts of brush, shrubs and trees, while also encouraging the growth of native vegetation.”

To reduce hazardous fuels surrounding the Mill Creek Municipal Watershed, the Umatilla National Forest and City of Walla Walla have partnered to implement prescribed burning on 270 acres along the watershed boundary. The Walla Walla Ranger District is looking for a weather window to burn starting Oct. 14-24 and anticipate burn operations will take two to five days to complete.

Area residents along Mill Creek may experience short-duration smoke in the evenings and overnight while prescribed burning operations are underway, but smoke is not expected to extend into Walla Walla city limits. Access through the prescribed fire area will be restricted on Forest Service Road 65 and Indian Ridge Trail. Temporary closures of up to two hours may be needed during burn operations for the safety of the public and prescribed-fire personnel.

The Tiger Creek Prescribed Fire Project aims to protect the Mill Creek Municipal Watershed by using controlled fire to reduce excessive fuel buildup along the southwest portion of the watershed boundary, which is approximately 13 miles east of Walla Walla. Completing this work will also improve forage habitat for big game and restore the area to a more fire-adapted ecosystem, which reduces the risk of a wildfire that causes significant tree mortality.

Complete details about this prescribed burn are available on our website: https://www.wallawallawa.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2110/15?backlist=%2f