With wildfire suppression winding down across the Pacific Northwest, land management agencies in Washington are shifting gears toward proactive fuels reduction this fall, launching large-scale prescribed burn programs that could treat more than 14,000 acres across central Washington in the coming weeks.

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest: Up to 14,026 Acres Planned

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is preparing to conduct fall prescribed fires across multiple ranger districts, with up to 14,026 acres planned for treatment as weather, fuel moisture, and air quality conditions allow. Burning operations could begin in late September and continue into winter where burn piles remain accessible.

Planned treatment areas span six ranger districts: Methow Valley, Chelan, Entiat, Wenatchee River, Cle Elum, and Naches. Crews will burn naturally accumulating forest fuels—pine needles, brush, and branches—as well as slash and pile debris created by previous thinning operations and past suppression work. All projects follow strict smoke management guidelines and will only proceed when conditions meet air quality and meteorological thresholds.

“Even after a smoky summer, prescribed fire is essential for maintaining healthy forests and reducing extreme wildfire behavior,” said Brandon Lewis, Fire Management Officer for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. “These burns allow us to safely reduce dense vegetation under controlled conditions, helping prevent the large, destructive wildfires and prolonged smoke events we’ve experienced in recent years.”

The forest acknowledges public concern about additional smoke after a summer dominated by wildfire haze, but emphasizes that prescribed fire smoke is generally lower in volume and shorter in duration than smoke from an uncontrolled wildfire burning the same area. Smoke may be visible in surrounding valleys, along Highway 2, and in communities near burn units. Residents can access updates through the Central Washington Initiative Smoke Pilot program’s online viewer.

WDFW Prescribed Burns in Okanogan County

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is also planning fall prescribed burns on state-managed lands in Okanogan County, with a window running from mid-October through late November. Three units are planned:

  • Golden Doe Unit, Methow Wildlife Area — Approximately 90 acres, located 4 miles south of Twisp. Targeting invasive vegetation reduction and wildlife habitat improvement.
  • Carter Mountain Unit, Sinlahekin Wildlife Area — Approximately 100 acres, 6 miles southwest of Tonasket. Broadcast burning to treat invasive species and support native vegetation recovery.
  • Driscoll Island Unit, Sinlahekin Wildlife Area — Approximately 40 acres, 1 mile south of Oroville. Targeting accumulated woody debris.

The Carter Mountain and Golden Doe units are funded in part through partnerships with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, supporting shrubsteppe restoration and wildlife passage enhancement objectives—partnerships that have become increasingly important as state agency budgets face pressure.

Prescribed fire has proven effective in the region. WDFW pointed to the recent Sinlahekin Wildfire as an example where previously treated lands demonstrated significantly reduced fire intensity compared to surrounding untreated areas, underscoring the value of pre-treatment investment.

“Prescribed fire improves and maintains wildlife habitat and ecosystem health and resiliency by regenerating important plant species, including native grasses and brush favored by deer, elk, and moose,” said Matt Eberlein, WDFW’s prescribed fire program manager. “It also improves access for hunters and others using these natural areas for outdoor recreation.”

Nearby residents may notice smoke settling into valley bottoms during evening and early morning hours, particularly along Highway 97 and in communities near Twisp, Tonasket, and Oroville. WDFW asks residents with health sensitivities to monitor air quality forecasts on those days and take appropriate precautions.