Welcome to the North Cascades
Prescribed Burn Association!

What is Prescribed Fire?

Prescribed fire, also known as controlled burning, is the intentional use of fire under carefully planned conditions to manage and restore ecosystems. Unlike wildfires, which can be unpredictable and destructive, prescribed burns are conducted under specific weather conditions to ensure safety and effectiveness. This time-tested land management tool helps prevent catastrophic wildfires, supports biodiversity, and maintains the natural balance of fire-adapted landscapes.

Who is it for?

• Are you a private landowner in Okanogan County with forested land? 

• Has your forest been thinned and the trees limbed?

• Are you looking for a way to reduce the amount of woody debris on the ground so as to reduce the risk of a destructive wildfire?

If so, prescribed fire may be a great solution for you
and the North Cascades Prescribed Burn Association would love to help!

To schedule a free site site assessment and receive more information please contact us at ncascadespba@gmail.com with your name, address, and best days and times for us to visit. We're looking forward to helping you meet your land management goals!

Why Use Prescribed Fire?

Prescribed fire is a valuable tool for land management, balancing ecological health with fire safety. It is used for: 

• Reducing hazardous fuels – Removes dead and down wood, lowering the risk of severe wildfires.

• Restoring forest health – Helps vegetation stay healthy, making forests resilient to pests, disease and drought.

• Protecting communities – Creates defensible space around homes and infrastructure by reducing flammable vegetation.

• Improving habitat – Encourages new plant growth, benefiting wildlife that depend on nutritious browse.

• Favoring certain species – Helps reduce non fire-resistant plants and promotes the growth of fire-dependent species.

• Enhancing soil fertility – Ground fire reduces compacted litter and duff, and ash from burned vegetation returns nutrients to the soil.

• Encouraging biodiversity – Creates a mosaic of landscape for a greater variety of plant and animal species to thrive.

• Supporting cultural and Indigenous practices – Many Indigenous communities have used fire for centuries to maintain healthy landscapes.

• Maintaining meadows and pastures – Prevents tree encroachment in prairies and grassland.

• Reducing pests and disease – Controls harmful insects and plant diseases that can spread in dense forests.