CHENEY, Wash. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service will conduct a prescribed fires of varying acreages at three different locations between Finley and Reeves Lakes and near W. Depot Rd. at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge between October 2026 and March 2027, conditions permitting.
Safety is the number one priority, and any prescribed burn prescribed burn
A prescribed burn is the controlled use of fire to restore wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire risk, or achieve other habitat management goals. We have been using prescribed burn techniques to improve species habitat since the 1930s.
Learn more about prescribed burn is carefully planned with wildland firefighters and fire professionals to ensure the safety of the surrounding community, neighbors and firefighters. Certain criteria must be met for prescribed burns to take place, including the ideal weather and wind conditions and tracking the air quality in the area. These criteria are outlined in a burn plan that is thoroughly reviewed before each implementation.
Smoke may be visible near Cheney and from the Spokane area during and after the prescribed fire. Smoke can affect visibility and air quality. Fire managers will monitor smoke conditions and conduct the burn under conditions intended to minimize smoke impacts to local communities. All prescribed burns will be conducted in accordance with applicable regional air-quality guidelines. Current air-quality information is available at AirNow.gov.
This prescribed fire is part of the refuge’s ongoing land management program and is planned to reduce hazardous fuels accumulation, restore and improve wildlife habitat. Prescribed fire is a tool that is carefully planned and implemented by fire managers to safely apply low-intensity fire under specific weather and fuel conditions.
Additional information on this prescribed fire will be available on the refuge website.
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit https://www.fws.gov/about/region/pacific and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube.
