Dawson broadcast prescribed burn

Update: 3/5/2026

Seasonal weather patterns are shifting toward conditions that are ideal for broadcast burning across the Dawson project area. Cooler nights, moderate daytime temperatures, and more predictable humidity trends are improving fuel moistures and creating windows that support safe and effective ignition. The project encompasses four burn units totaling approximately 634 acres, which may be treated individually or in phases depending on conditions. As favorable weather and fuel conditions develop, firefighters will take advantage of these opportunities to implement prescribed fire operations within the established prescription parameters.

Prescribed fire plays a critical role in restoring the health and resilience of fire‑adapted ecosystems. Good fire is a natural and necessary process that reduces hazardous fuel accumulations, improves forest structure, and strengthens ecological function. Applying fire under controlled conditions helps defend the landscape from high‑intensity wildfire by reducing available fuels—allowing future fire to occur on our terms, rather than during peak wildfire season.

Smoke impacts from prescribed fire are typically shorter in duration and lower in overall volume compared to smoke produced during uncontrolled wildfires, which can linger for weeks or even months. Conducting prescribed burns now helps prevent the need for large‑scale, high‑cost wildfire suppression efforts later. Overall, prescribed fire is a significantly more cost‑effective and sustainable management tool than responding to unplanned wildfires.

Stay tuned and informed for future notifications about upcoming burning planned for this project.