Press Release
Tonasket, WA - 20 miles north of Tonasket, USFS Assistant Fire Management Officer Shawn Plank stands along the boundary line between Forest Service and state managed lands. For miles in either direction, it’s an unending wall of green from the ground all the way up to the tree tops. While some would just see a forest, Plank sees the next megafire waiting to happen- the next community at risk. But proactive thinning and prescribed fire planned in the newly released draft analysis for the Mt. Hull area is designed to change all that.
“Forest conditions in the Mt. Hull area need proactive management to be wildfire resilient as well as restored and maintained in healthy, functioning condition,” said Plank. “Aspen stands, meadows, and wildlife habitat will also benefit from returning fire to this landscape.”
Proposed action highlights:
“We want to make sure folks have a chance to really look over and understand the project, so all of the documents and a new interactive map are available,” said Project Lead, Luke Cerise. “We’re looking forward to hearing from the community to craft the best possible decision.”
In accordance with federal regulations, the Forest Service will offer a 30-day formal comment period on the draft Environmental Analysis, which will begin with a legal notice published February 15, 2019. A final Analysis and draft decision is expected in the fall/winter of 2019.