GRANTS PASS – Hand pile burning has started at Dollar Mountain as part of the first phase of the Dollar Mountain Forest Park Fuels project. Fire managers with Grayback Forestry in partnership with the City of Grants Pass will conduct prescribed burns through March 1, 2020, based on local weather, smoke clearance, and fuel conditions.
Precipitation has been light this Fall with some heavy amounts of rain in September. Another two inches of precipitation and changes in air flow approach optimal conditions for implementation of this first phase, said Wendy Giordano, superintendent of Parks and Property Management.
“This November, large fuels (logs, snags, stumps and large green trees) have still been fairly dry. As the next weather systems arrive, fuel moistures will increase and we will begin burn operations on the hills West of Starlite,” said Giordano.
In order to meet future challenges in the most effective way possible, Grayback Forestry, Grants Pass Fire Rescue, Oregon Dept of Forestry, Rural Metro, and Josephine County Emergency Management will continue to use collaborative efforts with prescribed burning as a tool to reduce build-up of hazardous fuels, restore forest ecosystems, and improve resiliency and safety of communities within the wildland urban interface.
“All prescribed fire projects will be conducted in accordance with an approved burn plan to ensure the safety of people and property in the area,” said Giordano.
Burn plans describe the specific conditions under which burns will be conducted including the weather, number of personnel, and opportunities to minimize smoke impacts.
“For safety purposes the public needs to stay out of prescribed fire operations as they are taking place,” Giordano said.
For additional information, contact Sean Hendrix of Grayback Forestry: (541)761-0953 or (541)476-0033, ext. 311. Email: sean@graybackforestry.com.
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