Restoring our dry, fire-adapted forests in Central Oregon is a multi-step process carried out over many years and requiring collaboration among a diverse team of forest scientists, fire experts, loggers, community leaders, and volunteers.
Prescribed fire, also known as prescribed or controlled burning, is the final step in the forest restoration process, and a crucial tool to help improve the health of our forest, reduce the risk of extreme wildfires, and increase community and firefighter safety when wildfires do occur. But before a prescribed burn is conducted, there are several important steps that prepare the forest for the safe and controlled use of fire, including multiple years of analysis and planning that guide careful logging, small tree thinning, and removal of flammable underbrush.
U.S. Forest Service foresters, wildlife biologists, hydrologists, soil scientists, archaeologists, botanists, and other experts work together with the public to prioritize where and what kind of restoration work should occur in the forest to improve wildlife habitat, create healthier forests and streams, and reduce wildfire risk, while minimizing potential negative impacts to recreation, wildlife, land or water.
