09/24/2026
Forest Service News Release
Public Affairs: Amy Franklin
(541) 620-3365
[email protected]
Prescribed Fires Planned on Malheur National Forest
Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work
Hines, John Day and Prairie City, OR (September 24, 2026)— The Malheur National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations beginning as early as September 27, 2026, pending all required approvals.
We estimate this work to continue through fall as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.
Prescribed fire units planned
Blue Mountain Ranger District: (September 27, 2026)
• Galena 40C & 41 are located approximately 6 miles northwest of Austin Junction along Forest Service Road 2055 and north of Grant County Road 20. (531 acres)
Emigrant Creek Ranger District: (September 28, 2026)
• Wolf A is located approximately 4.5 miles southwest of Logan Valley Interpretive site. (1,620 acres)
Prairie City Ranger District: (October 1, 2026)
• Summit 18 is located approximately 3.5 miles south of Forest Service Road 1600 (1,039 acres)
These areas may be closed to the public during operations for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.
Public land users may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to find more detailed information about air quality. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.
We will evaluate weather conditions in the days and hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.
Stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website, PNW Prescribed Fire Tracker, social media channels, and InciWeb, the interagency incident information system. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins.
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
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This map shows fine particle pollution (PM2.5) from wildfires and other sources. It provides a public resource of information to best prepare and manage wildfire season. Developed in a joint partnership between the EPA and USFS led AirFire team. Development work done by Stuart Illson
