News Release

Fall 2022 Prescribed Fire Burning Notice

Date: September 29, 2022
Contact: Tonya Neider, 360-485-5066

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area may implement the following prescribed fire during the fall of 2022. Stevens County:

• Gifford, 67 acres adjacent to the Gifford Campground and Boat Launch.
• One large pile at each of the following locations: Stevens County -Evans, Kettle Falls, Gifford, Lincoln County -Fort Spokane, Keller Ferry, and Spring Canyon

The goals of prescribed burns include promoting forest health and decreasing forest fuel loads adjacent to campgrounds, residences, and structures. Benefits will include:

• Increased understory plant diversity and natural reseeding of trees,
• Retaining a healthy mosaic of plants and trees that are more resistant and resilient to fire, insects and disease’
• Reduced small fuels, which are primary fire carriers,
• Decreased risk and intensity of uncontrolled wildfires,
• Increased nutrients for trees and understory.

Safe and favorable weather conditions may occur from late September through December. Ignition may last 2 days at the Gifford unit. Pile burns at each location should be completed in one to two days. Public and firefighter safety are always the highest priority in all fire management activities. The project areas will be carefully monitored until the unit or piles are fully extinguished. Residual smoke may be observed for up to two weeks post ignition.

Wildland fire management activities conducted by the National Park Service (NPS) are guided by NPS management policies and the Guidance for Implementation of Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy, 2009. The Gifford Prescribed Fire will be ignited in conjunction with the WA DNR.

Additional information may be found on the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area website at www.nps.gov/laro.