KBNWRC > Fire Management > Bear Valley NWR Prescribed Burn Information

Project Overview

Commencing mid-October, Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex Fire Management staff will initiate prescribed fire (RX) operations in Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The purpose of these burns is to reduce hazardous fuels to the nearby communities of Keno and Worden while enhancing wildlife habitat and vital eagle roost areas. In the late 1970’s, Bear Valley NWR was established to protect vital roost areas for wintering bald eagles. Hundreds of raptors return to the refuge each winter, seeking out their roost sites. Over the years, vegetation has overwhelmed the 4,200 acre refuge, in turn degrading the roost trees and increasing the threat for devastating fire to the refuge and surrounding communities.

From the late 1980’s through the early 1990’s, the US Forest Service conducted a series of prescribed burns aimed at improving the above issues. Starting in 1998, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, instituted a combination of timber sales and thinning operations. Since 2001, US Fish & Wildlife Service fire crews and contractors have completed a number of hand thinning projects, juniper removal and piling and slashbuster treatments in various locations throughout the refuge. A vital step in the treatment process is the application of prescribed fire as a means of debris disposal and removal.

Over the past few seasons, small pile burning projects were conducted during the fall. Starting this October, US Fish & Wildlife Service fire personnel, with the assistance of Keno Rural Fire Protection District, National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management, will conduct approximately 355 acres of understory prescribed burning in timber litter and slash (approximately 205 acres) and pile burning (approximately 150 acres). The burns are expected to last into early November and are dependent upon numerous conditions, especially seasonal weather trends.


Project area map (282 kb)

Project Objectives

Generally speaking, our goals are to improve wildlife habitat and reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire to surrounding communities and the refuge. Specific objectives of the 2004 Bear Valley NWR Prescribed Burns are to reduce accumulated ground fuels by 50%, while minimizing tree mortality to less than 10%. Historically speaking, trees are overstocked in the refuge, so a minimal loss to non-vital roost trees is acceptable for these burns. We also aim to return timber stands to historical fire patterns so future prescribed burns and potential wildfires will not have an adverse effect upon the landscape and surrounding communities.




Units post slashbusting, prior to burning

Smoke Management

Smoke impacts to local communities and residents of the greater Klamath Basin area are a primary concern to refuge fire managers. USFWS fire staffers intend to burn only during times of favorable smoke dispersion. In order to coordinate multiple resources and determine preferable ignition dates and favorable smoke dispersion factors, in accordance with weather conditions and adherence to applicable policies and regulations, much advance planning and interagency coordination precedes each burn.

Using smoke management forecasts provided through the Oregon Department of Forestry, we aim to utilize prevailing weather conditions to minimize smoke impacts to our neighbors. Sometimes, day and night temperature differences cause inversions, resulting in low laying smoke in the general vicinity of a prescribed burn. Residual smoke from agency and private burns (i.e., agricultural field burns, debris piles) increase the amount of smoke trapped in the inversion. To mitigate further increasing the smoke amounts, we will adjust our burn acres until the smoke dissipates and more favorable conditions allow for greater smoke dispersal.

Coordinating with other local, state and federal resources through the Klamath Falls Interagency Fire Center allows us to monitor not only the number of concurrent prescribed burns, but also the amount of smoke predicted in our local airshed. Fire managers estimate burning and resulting smoke to last intermittently from mid-October thru early December. Again, we can reduce or increase our acres burned to take advantage of favorable weather conditions and minimize smoke impacts.

Resources and Cooperating Agencies

Prescribed burns are often complex and require more resources than a single unit may be able to provide. Klamath Basin NWRC fire staff includes a combination of engine, fuels and overhead personnel. Our resources, including our refuge-based Regional Prescribed Fire Module, will be supplemented by additional personnel from the US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and Keno Rural Fire Protection District. Interagency cooperation accounts for improved and effective coordination of resources, increased on-site resources, training opportunities and cost-effective operations. Follow the links below to learn more about our cooperating neighbor agencies.

Lava Beds National Monument
Sheldon-Hart National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Lakeview District BLM
Keno Fire

Contact Information and Questions

For additional information and/or questions, contact:

Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Division of Fire Management
4009 Hill Road
Tulelake, CA 96134

(530) 667-2231