News Release

Spring 2024 Prescribed Fire Burning Notice

Date: April 15, 2024
Contact: Tonya Neider

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area may implement the following prescribed fire during the spring of 2024. Lincoln County:

• Fort Spokane Employee housing area, 50 acres near the Fort Spokane Campground, Boat Launch, and Day Use areas.

This burn is tentatively scheduled sometime between April 18, 2024 and May 10, 2024. Smoke may settle into the Fort Spokane Campground on the day of ignition and during the nights for up to a week after ignition. The exact date of ignition is currently not known and depends on weather, unit preparation, and personnel availability.

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 in April through the beginning of June. Ignition should be completed in one day. Public and firefighter safety are always the highest priority in all fire management activities. The project area will be carefully monitored until the unit is 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. 

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