Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Dan-o on September 25, 2013, 10:00:03 PM

Title: Controlled burns in the Bethel (question)
Post by: Dan-o on September 25, 2013, 10:00:03 PM: So, I'm curious how the controlled burns are actually controlled.

Driving around up there, there are lots of little fires going, and as far as I can tell nobody is watching them.

Some just smolder. Some flame. Obviously, the whole place isn't going up in smoke, so how do they do this? How do those fires not get out of control?

(I'm guessing there's some science behind it and they wait for moister soil and cooler temps, but I don't know.)

Thanks,

Dan
Title: Re: Controlled burns in the Bethel (question)
Post by: jackelope on September 25, 2013, 10:05:50 PM: You mean like this one?

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F13%2F09%2F26%2Fsu7a5uza.jpg&hash=2a20c713121a0c98f73cec15cfefdb6429d1540d)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F13%2F09%2F26%2Fajeqe3a7.jpg&hash=b6a047877b945a4a6b61115f0687e611b794bcef)

I actually called that one in a few weeks ago only to find out it was a controlled burn.
Title: Re: Controlled burns in the Bethel (question)
Post by: Dan-o on September 25, 2013, 10:09:15 PM: Yes.

There were a BUNCH of them in the Bethel this weekend.

I freaked out when I came upon the first one. I thought someone left a campfire going and it got out of control, but when I got out I could smell smoke coming from all directions.

Some were flat out flaming, and I never saw anyone watching over them.
Title: Re: Controlled burns in the Bethel (question)
Post by: bobcat on September 25, 2013, 10:13:18 PM: You're right Dan-o, they're controlled because they do them when the conditions are right. (weather)
Title: Re: Controlled burns in the Bethel (question)
Post by: jackelope on September 25, 2013, 10:17:21 PM: Quote from: bobcat on September 25, 2013, 10:13:18 PM
You're right Dan-o, they're controlled because they do them when the conditions are right. (weather)
It was 90 degrees, dry as a popcorn fart, the middle of archery elk season and fire danger was extremely high according to all the signs the day I took those pictures. That fire is in the rattlesnake drainage. I think Bethel Ridge is one ridge to the left in the picture. Pic was taken from Clemans Mountain.
Title: Re: Controlled burns in the Bethel (question)
Post by: bobcat on September 25, 2013, 10:21:18 PM: Quote from: jackelope on September 25, 2013, 10:17:21 PM

Quote from: bobcat on September 25, 2013, 10:13:18 PM
You're right Dan-o, they're controlled because they do them when the conditions are right. (weather)
It was 90 degrees, dry as a popcorn fart, the middle of archery elk season and fire danger was extremely high according to all the signs the day I took those pictures. That fire is in the rattlesnake drainage. I think Bethel Ridge is one ridge to the left in the picture. Pic was taken from Clemans Mountain.

Well, are those fires burning out of control? Any houses burned down yet? If not, then it must be going according to plan.
Title: Re: Controlled burns in the Bethel (question)
Post by: jackelope on September 25, 2013, 10:25:34 PM: I agree. My point was that they don't always seem to wait for the right weather for controlled burns.
Title: Re: Controlled burns in the Bethel (question)
Post by: bobcat on September 25, 2013, 10:35:36 PM: I think there's just more science behind it than the average person realizes. My point is, if the weather wasn't right for it, by now those fires would be burning where they weren't intended to be. And that would be all over the news. So I assume they got it right and did their burning when conditions were perfect. Just having hot daytime temps doesn't mean a controlled burn is out of the question. It's more what the wind is doing and the humidity over night. The high daytime temps are likely a good thing, otherwise the fire might not burn hot enough.
Title: Re: Controlled burns in the Bethel (question)
Post by: ghosthunter on September 25, 2013, 10:44:10 PM: Well Ghost Camp will be in 342 on the 2nd. We have been watching the conditions.
Looks like they took down the camp fire restrictions,so the new fire ring will see use.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/home?cid=fsbdev3_053600#current%20restrictions (http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/home?cid=fsbdev3_053600#current%20restrictions)

In 2012around Winthrop rifle season they were burning. Guys were camped with trailers right in the burn area. Little fires all around.
Crap I got black lung just driving through. How anyone could have a good time camping and hunting there beats me.

Humidity around Naches was 70% the other night and night temps in low 40s.
Title: Re: Controlled burns in the Bethel (question)
Post by: norsepeak on September 25, 2013, 10:52:43 PM: they can only do the burns in a very specific window of conditions based on humiditys, temps and most importantly fuel moistures. Then to control the fires, the usually put a line around the area they want to burn and they monitor them carefully. Along with the prescription that they have to meet in order to burn, they keep a very close on the predicted weather to help them control the fires down the road.
Title: Re: Controlled burns in the Bethel (question)
Post by: Dan-o on September 26, 2013, 08:50:21 AM: Cool. Thanks for the info.

I figured they knew what they were doing because the place wasn't a blazing inferno.
Title: Re: Controlled burns in the Bethel (question)
Post by: Igottanewknee on September 26, 2013, 08:50:35 AM: Can anyone say morels next year?
Title: Re: Controlled burns in the Bethel (question)
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on September 26, 2013, 09:05:50 AM: I think I saw one leaving Winthrop heading west on HWY 20 last Thursday, it was north of the HWY and river after you cross the concrete bridge at goat creek road i think. Nobody looked to concerned about it, it wasn't there when I rode into town earlier. :dunno: