Prescribed Burns

Prescribed burning is a critical tool used to reduce the risk of impacts of catastrophic wildfire. The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, WA State Department of Ecology, WA State Department of Health (DOH), WA State Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chelan-Douglas Health District, and Kittitas County Public Health are working together to conduct prescribed burns in 2026.

Burns will only be implemented under specific conditions that examine, temperature, wind, humidity, and moisture in the vegetation. The prescribed burns require rigorous planning and site preparation to ensure they occur at low intensities with limited smoke impacts to nearby communities.

Stay informed

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Having trouble? Watch this video for step-by-step guidance! (English)

For information on prescribed burning and air quality, visit www.dnr.wa.gov/smoke

Questions or concerns? Email: Smoke@dnr.wa.gov

What to know about smoke from Prescribed Fire

Smoke affects everyone’s health. Some people are especially sensitive to smoke, including children, people with health conditions, pregnant people, or those over age 65.

Learn more about smoke and your health here: Wildfire Smoke page

Creating clean indoor air

Staying indoors during unhealthy periods of smoke is the number one way to reduce your exposure. However, especially in older buildings, indoor levels of smoke can be almost as bad as outdoors. Some simple strategies to consider include:

Close all windows and doors securely to keep smoke out. Pay attention to indoor temperatures to avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke. If it becomes uncomfortably warm, seek alternate shelter in a cooler space with clean air, or open the windows temporarily to cool your space down.
If you have an HVAC system, use the highest-rated MERV filter your system can handle, ideally a MERV-13 or higher.
If you do not have forced air or air conditions, consider choosing a room in your house that you can close off and set up an air cleaning system.
- Use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter. This excellent guide from WA DOH, can help you choose what air cleaner to purchase, and learn more about indoor air quality.
- Box-fan filters are easy to build, low-cost and effective.
- If you already have a system to clean your air, make sure to check and replace filters as needed.

Chelan-Douglas Health District may have air cleaners available for households with smoke-vulnerable members who cannot afford to purchase one for themselves.

HEPA Portable Distribution form (English) HEPA Portable Distribution form (Spanish)