Land managers across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho are pushing hard to complete spring prescribed burns before warming temperatures and drying fuels close the narrow operational window that exists between winter and the onset of high-risk fire season. Prescribed fire — the intentional, controlled application of fire under carefully managed conditions — is one of the most effective tools available for reducing catastrophic wildfire risk, and agencies say getting burns done this spring is more important than ever given the trajectory of conditions across the region.
Burns Underway in Oregon
Central Oregon has seen multiple prescribed burn operations in recent weeks, including planned ignitions near Crescent on the Deschutes National Forest and burn units in the Bend and Chemult areas. The Deschutes National Forest works closely with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to time burns for favorable weather windows — conditions that move smoke upward and away from nearby communities.
Prescribed burns on federal lands typically deploy crews of 50 to 60 people with extensive safety protocols and monitoring equipment. Fire management officials say these operations are "planned, small, and conducted under controlled conditions usually during the cooler seasons like fall and spring," and that "prescribed burns will always include advanced public notification and preparation."
Smoke Impacts Are Temporary but Real
Prescribed burn smoke has at times impacted air quality in Central Oregon communities, including temporary school impacts during spring operations. While these episodes are short-lived and managed carefully, fire managers acknowledge the discomfort and ask for community patience, emphasizing that the alternative — uncontrolled wildfires — produces far greater and longer-lasting air quality and public health impacts.
Washington's Prescribed Burn Program
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington is continuing fire-prevention activities, including prescribed burns, as part of its strategy to mitigate future wildfire risk. Forest spokespersons note that spring is one of the best windows for these operations, and that burning now directly protects communities that might otherwise face the front edge of a wildfire in summer or fall.
Federal Program Under Pressure
A recent NPR report highlighted concerns that the Trump administration is falling behind on prescribed burn targets, with federal prescribed burning dropping significantly in 2025. The Forest Service attributed much of the decline to elevated wildfire activity in the Southeast following Hurricane Helene, but data shows prescribed burning also dropped in states unaffected by that storm. With forest restoration and fire mitigation funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law set to expire at the end of 2026, agencies are under added pressure to maximize on-the-ground work while funding remains available.
Community members who see smoke from prescribed burns are encouraged to check InciWeb and their local USFS district websites for burn notifications before contacting emergency services.