Tumwater residents on the city's west side may see smoke and slower traffic on Monday, August 3, when three organizations plan to conduct a controlled ecological burn near 93rd Avenue SW.

The Washington Department of Natural Resources, the Ecostudies Institute, and the Center for Natural Lands Management are coordinating the burn, aimed at restoring forest health and reducing wildfire risk.

The operation will proceed only if weather and site conditions allow, according to a notice posted by the Tumwater Fire Department on Thursday, July 30.

Trained firefighting staff will be on scene throughout the operation.

As of July 29, the Pacific Northwest had already surpassed its 10-year average for acres burned this wildfire season, and peak fire season had not yet begun.

What residents should expect

Drifting smoke from the burn site may distract drivers and slow traffic near 93rd Avenue SW.

The City of Tumwater confirmed the potential impacts in a post on X the same day.

The burn is a permitted, controlled operation with professional crews. It is distinct from Thurston County's temporary fire safety burn ban, which restricts open burning in unincorporated areas through Thursday, October 15.

Background

Tumwater amended its municipal code in 2022 to allow prescribed burning at sites near 93rd Avenue SW, clearing the way for ecological burns in the area.

The DNR's Prescribed Fire Program, housed within the agency's Forest Resilience Division, supports forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction statewide.

How to get updates

Residents concerned about smoke or the burn itself can call (360) 259-3900 during the operation and (360) 451-6696 afterward. For more information on prescribed burns and real-time updates on whether the August 3 burn proceeds, visit dnr.wa.gov/prescribedfire.

No rescheduling date has been announced if conditions force a postponement.