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Forest Service News Release
Liv Stecker
(541) 646-9177
SM.FS.RRSNFContactUs@usda.gov
www.fs.usda.gov/r06/rogue-siskiyou
Fall prescribed burning planned across Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
All five Ranger Districts are planning prescribed fire projects this fall
Medford, OR, Oct. 20, 2026—All five Ranger Districts on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest are planning prescribed fire projects for this fall. Forest Service officials estimate this work may continue into winter, as conditions allow. Highly qualified prescribed fire specialists use prescribed fires to help reduce excess vegetation, improve wildlife habitat, enhance watershed health, and restore fire-adapted ecosystems. Prescribed fire is a critical part of reducing wildfire risk across the forest.
Type of Work:
Prescribed understory and pile burning is planned in the following areas, and additional locations may be added later. Dates, acreage and detailed locations of each project will be updated on Inciweb and Facebook as they occur throughout the fall and winter.
Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District
Applegate Valley
Near Star Ranger Station
Beaver Creek and Forest Road 20
Flumet Flat Campground
Kanaka Flat (north and east of Applegate Lake)
Ashland Watershed
White Rabbit trailhead
Panther Peak
Coggins Saddle/Four Corners
Wild Rivers Ranger District
Butcherknife/Slate Creek
Waters Creek
Briggs Valley near Sam Brown Campground
Slater Fire footprint
Onion Mountain Lookout
Gold Beach and Powers Ranger Districts
Wildhorse Lookout area and Forest Road 3318
Multiple pile burning locations near Eden Ridge
High Cascades Ranger District
Clarks Fork 7, area near Twin Ponds trailhead
Prospect and Union Creek area campgrounds
Closures and safety:
No closures are expected with this planned prescribed fire activity. However, visitors should remain alert and watch for firefighters working in these areas. Smoke may impact visibility along roadways.
Smoke information:
While smoke may be visible, the Forest Service works closely with air quality specialists and closely monitors smoke during prescribed fires. Prescribed fires are timed for best smoke management. Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for current air quality information. If smoke is present on roadways, drivers should slow down and turn on headlights. Please do not report these fires, as firefighters will remain on scene throughout ignitions and patrol afterwards.
Additional notifications:
The Forest Service will evaluate conditions in the days and hours before ignition. Updates to planned burns will be posted on our Prescribed Fire Inciweb Page and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest’s Facebook page.
If conditions are not favorable, planned prescribed fire activities may be postponed or canceled.
Stay informed with these useful links:
For current updates about the prescribed fire schedule, planned work, and partner information, visit:
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology—and rooted in communities—the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with Tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S
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