DNR Planning Prescribed Burn on 37 Acres in Thurston County Thursday

A prescribed fire operation to promote prairie health and improve wildlife habitat, while reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfire near Littlerock, will occur on Thursday, September 10.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is planning a prescribed fire operation on up to 37 acres of the Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve about 1.5 miles west of Little Rock and 5 miles north of Rochester. Click here to view the location on a map. The site will remain open, but a portion of the trail system will be closed during the burn operations.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is committed to conducting all prescribed fires with safety as the number one priority. Staff follow a burn plan drafted to guide operations within a specific range of optimal weather and ground conditions for the prescribed burn to meet its objectives.

This burn is planned to support native plant and animal habitats in the natural area, accelerate natural regeneration on the landscape, and reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire.

Because safety is paramount when conducting prescribed burns, slight changes to expected conditions the day of a burn may require delaying or postponing a burn on short notice.

Please sign up for the notification system on the DNR burn portal website to receive location-specific alerts about upcoming prescribed burns. The DNR prescribed fire social media account provides the most current information about active burn operations.

Smoke Management and Closure Information

Though the smoke impacts from prescribed fire are minimal and short-lived compared to those caused by wildfire, those who are sensitive to wildfire smoke should be prepared to take similar precautions for a prescribed fire in their area:

• Check local air quality at fire.airnow.gov during and after a prescribed burn.
• Children and youth, older adults, pregnant people, and people with chronic health conditions should take steps to reduce exposure when it is smoky. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.
• If smoke worsens:
  • Stay indoors and close windows, if possible. Keep windows closed at night.
  • Wear an N95 mask if you must be outside when it is smoky.
  • Limit duration and intensity of outdoor physical activity.
  • If you are unable to maintain clean air at home, go elsewhere for cleaner air such as a friend or family's place, a public space, or unimpacted area.

For more information, including tips to keep the air in your home clean, visit the new DNR Smoke Resources webpage.

Smoke may be visible on nearby roadways. Public access to Mima Mounds will be limited and sections of the site may be closed for short periods during burn operations.

Outdoor recreationists and hunters are always encouraged to check closure information frequently to ensure the areas they plan to visit are open. All burn areas will have signs posted in advance.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Courtney James

DNR Communications Manager

Phone: 360-522-2534

[email protected]