Smoke in Rogue Valley Linked to Prescribed Burn Near Jacksonville
Fire officials say planned operations on BLM-administered land may be visible from the Applegate and Rogue valleyS
JACKSONVILLE, Ore. — Smoke visible in parts of the Rogue and Applegate valleys today is coming from a prescribed fire operation near Jacksonville, according to fire officials.
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service is conducting prescribed fire operations today, May 14, on Bureau of Land Management-administered lands near Jacksonville. Burn operations were expected to begin around 11 a.m. and be completed by about 3 p.m.
Officials said people in the Applegate and Rogue valleys may see smoke from the planned burn and should not be alarmed.
Travelers on Highway 238 between Ruch and Jacksonville should also be prepared for increased traffic in the area while fire crews are working.
Smoke rises from a prescribed fire operation on BLM-administered land. Fire crews are conducting planned burn operations near Jacksonville, with patrol and mop-up expected to continue through the weekend. Photo courtesy of BLM.
After active burn operations are complete, fire personnel are expected to continue patrol and mop-up operations after hours and through the weekend.
Prescribed fire is a planned land management tool used under specific weather, fuel, and staffing conditions. These burns are commonly used to reduce hazardous fuels, improve forest health, and lower the risk of more severe wildfire behavior later in the season.
Residents who see smoke near Jacksonville today should be aware that the activity is part of a planned prescribed burn and not an unplanned wildfire response.
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