Prescribed fires are those fires purposefully ignited on wildlands to meet specific land management objectives, such as reducing wildfire risk, improving forest health, site preparation, and improving rangeland vegetation.
Wildfires are unwanted wildland fires, and may be caused by such things as negligent human behavior or lightning.
See the links below and our EPA Smoke Information and Smoke Management web pages for information on how air quality issues are being addressed for prescribed and wildland fires.
EPA Interim Air Quality Policy on Wildland and Prescribed Fires
- This is EPA’s interim policy for addressing public health and welfare impacts caused by wildland and prescribed fires that are managed to achieve resource benefits.
EPA Natural Events Policy
- This memorandum establishes EPA's policy for protecting public health in areas where particulate matter air quality standards are violated due to natural events, including wildfires.
For information on prescribed and wildland fires in your area:
Alaska
Idaho
Oregon
Washington
USDA Forest Service Region 1 (Idaho and Montana)
USDA Forest Service Region 6 (Oregon and Washington)
National Fire Plan
National Interagency Fire Center (Boise, Idaho)
Northwest Interagency Coordination Center |