Pacific Forest Trust details 2025 burn plan; Jackson County doubles down on ban during declared fire season

Pacific Forest Trust (PFT) presented its 2025 Burn Plan and a permit proposal to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 4, outlining objectives that include ecological restoration, wildlife habitat, drinking-water protection and timber-related jobs.

"PFT is invested in improving forest safety and that he wants the Board to understand the scientific basis and objectives of the Plan," Jack Singer, PFT stewardship director, told the commissioners while describing a management plan that pairs prescribed burning with commercial thinning and stand improvement funded in part by an Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board grant. Singer said initial work includes a planned 55-acre prescribed burn and that PFT would coordinate with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) on timing and approvals.

Commissioner Rick Dyer pressed whether PFT intended to burn during the county's declared fire season. Dyer stated that "the Board is firmly opposed to controlled burning during the declared fire season," and Commissioner Colleen Roberts cited Jackson County’s 2018 fire policy as having broad public support and a role in protecting air quality. Roberts said the county supports prescribed burning only outside the declared fire season.

Lyndia Hammer, PFT stewardship and outreach associate, said prescribed burns in cooler, wetter seasons "produce less smoke than those occurring during wildfire season" and framed smoke reduction as central to protecting public health and the local economy. PFT representatives said they will rely on ODF guidance and Air Quality District approvals before conducting burns and clarified they were not asking the county to change its policy.

The commissioners expressed support for projects that promote resilient landscapes and productive private forests but did not alter county policy. The Board asked that PFT continue coordination with ODF and local air regulators; PFT said it would follow applicable permitting rules and conditions. Commissioners thanked the PFT representatives for the briefing.

Next steps: PFT will continue coordination with ODF and air-quality authorities; the county’s fire policy remains unchanged and any request to alter burn-season restrictions would require explicit Board action.