WDFW to use prescribed burns on south Puget Sound wildlife areas to restore prairie habitat

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will conduct prescribed burns to restore prairie habitat on two wildlife area units in Thurston County starting July 10, 2023.

The burns are scheduled for the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Unit northeast of Rochester and the West Rocky Prairie Wildlife Area Unit northwest of Tenino for up to five days through mid-October. Weather dependent, burn operations will target small areas from seven to 15 acres.

“Portions of the wildlife areas may be closed during the burns and visitors may see smoke from the fires for one to two hours after operations have stopped,” said Bill Kronland, WDFW wildlife area manager. “We will be working hard to minimize smoke impacts to the surrounding community.”

WDFW works cooperatively with Washington State Department of Natural Resources, fire districts, and other partners while using professional fire crews experienced in conducting prescribed burns on public and private lands in south Puget Sound.

Kronland said the Department uses prescribed fire to maintain native grassland habitats, also known as prairies, and to control invasive weeds before seeding and planting native species.

Puget lowland prairies are one of the rarest ecosystems in Washington and have been reduced to less than 3% of their former area. They support several rare plants and animals including birds, mammals, and butterflies, some of which are listed as threatened or endangered. The Scatter Creek Wildlife Area is part of an integrated system of conservation lands managed to conserve and restore this rare ecosystem.

WDFW works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.