Cascadia Prescribed Burn Association: empowering landowners for a fire-resilient future

LEAVENWORTH — As fall rains begin, so ends the late summer and early fall prescribed burn season in the Upper Wenatchee Valley. 

Prescribed burning is a proactive approach to forest management by intentionally setting controlled fires under specific conditions that consider weather, fuel moisture levels, and smoke dispersal patterns, land managers reduce hazardous fuels, improve wildlife habitat, and promote healthy forest regeneration.

For centuries, low-intensity fires played a natural role in the ecosystem of the eastern Cascades. Those fires cleared out underbrush, reduced fuel loads, and promoted the growth of fire-adapted species. However, decades of fire suppression have led to unnaturally dense forests, increasing the risk of catastrophic wildfires, such as the 1994 Hatchery Complex fire that posed an existential threat to Leavenworth and the Lake Wenatchee areas.

Federal, state, and county agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, the Washington Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Fish and Wildlife, and local fire districts have long been involved in the use of prescribed fire as a tool for forest management in the Upper Valley, particularly within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and other surrounding public lands.

While those federal and state agencies are key contributors to prescribed burn efforts, private organizations such as the Cascadia Prescribed Burn Association (CPBA) have also made significant strides in increasing prescribed fire use. 

The CPBA is a non-profit group collaborative network of community members, organizations, and local agencies dedicated to enhancing forest resilience and protecting against catastrophic wildfires through prescribed burns.

“Our mission really is to bring prescribed fire back to private lands and to increase education, training, and cultural norms around prescribed fire,” explains Colin Sternagel, the CPBA Coordinator. “One of the main benefits that really got everyone talking about prescribed burns is the fact that they can reduce the severity of wildfires, and better protect homes, communities, forest, and ecological systems that have evolved to thrive with fire.”

Founded in 2017, the CPBA has become an important local player in the growing movement to bring prescribed fire back to private lands, tribal lands, and national forests. The organization works directly with landowners, local communities, and public agencies to increase awareness about the benefits of prescribed fire and provide the training and resources necessary for successful burns.

“Once an owner’s property is ready to go – after thinning and mastication [fuel reduction treatment methods such mulching] - we put together a burn plan, which may include local agencies. We obtain the required DNR permit, take care of local notifications, and organize the burn day, including volunteers, and all the equipment. The PBA owns a burn trailer that has thousands of feet of hose, pumps, and personal protection equipment. All we ask of the owner is to throw a good bar-b-que at the end of the day.”

Through a network of trained professionals, the CPBA coordinates prescribed burns on a variety of landscapes, including grasslands, shrublands, and forests. They also focus on engaging local communities in the process, offering opportunities for training and involvement in prescribed fire operations. By empowering residents to participate in fire management, the CPBA helps build fire-resilient landscapes while strengthening community ties.

In the Leavenworth area, prescribed burns are typically conducted in the spring and fall when conditions are most favorable. Residents and visitors can expect to see smoke in the vicinity of the burn areas, but fire managers work closely with local communities to minimize disruptions.

“We understand that smoke is a concern and challenge for everyone, including us,” said Sternagel. “We always try to mitigate it by planning around the weather, and encourage people to stay informed about planned burns and take precautions if they are sensitive to smoke.”

As the smoke clears from the latest prescribed burn season, it is a reminder that fire can be a force for both destruction and renewal. As Sternagel puts it: “By embracing the power of prescribed fire, as did the Indigenous peoples for thousands of years on this land, we can help ensure that our forests remain healthy, vibrant, and resilient for years to come.”

Prescribed burns are a critical strategy in the fight against wildfire risk and ecological degradation. With strong federal and state involvement, as well as grassroots initiatives like the PBA, the region is working to restore fire to the land in a safe and effective way.

If you are interested in learning more about prescribed burning or joining the CPBA, please visit their website at https://www.cascadiapba.org/.

Caroline Menna is an intern for Ward Media and a senior at Cascade High School, where she serves as Editor-in-Chief of the school’s Publications Group.