EPA clears Washington state to do more controlled burns to prevent wildfires

Washington firefighters now have an extended planning time and season to conduct controlled burns. These controlled burns are crucial in preventing massive wildfires that threaten landscapes, homes, and cause air pollution. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently approved Washington’s smoke management plan, the first update in over two decades. This update provides better opportunities to execute challenging prescribed burns.

The state officials have already conducted at least four prescribed fires this spring and have plans for six more this fall. These burns target grasses and foliage that accumulate and dry out during the summer months, increasing the risk of wildfires across the state. With the region experiencing warming due to climate change and worsening drought conditions, the wildfire risk continues to grow every year.

This summer, several parts of Washington have already been affected by wildfires, including the Newell Road fire and the Eagle Bluff fire. The threat of wildfires is not limited to Washington, as demonstrated by the recent destructive wildfire on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

The updated smoke management plan is expected to reduce last-minute cancellations and wasted resources. Prescribed burns are a crucial tool in mitigating wildfire risk, and the new plan allows for more efficient scheduling and decision-making. Under the previous plan, burns had to be decided on the morning of the scheduled day, leaving little time for larger burns. The updated plan now allows for burns to be approved a day in advance, providing more time for preparation and reducing cancellations.

In spring, the Department of Natural Resources burned approximately 585 acres on state lands and nearby plots. The revisions to the smoke management plan will help create more opportunities for conducting these burns by considering weather conditions, ground conditions, available resources, and personnel. The updated plan also allows for burning on weekends, enabling an earlier start to the fall burn season in September. Previously, weekends were off-limits due to air quality policies.

The state Department of Natural Resources, responsible for prescribed burns, requires approval from the EPA due to the Clean Air Act. Both state and federal officials have praised the updated plan for its flexibility in preventing wildfires and reducing the production of toxic smoke.

Overall, the approval of Washington’s updated smoke management plan provides firefighters with more control and planning time to execute crucial prescribed burns, minimizing the risk of devastating wildfires and their environmental impact.

2023 The Seattle Times. Visit seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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