Prescribed pasture burn benefits elk grazing

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Story Published: Jun 30, 2009 at 2:05 PM PDT

By Kristina Nelson, KCBY News

REEDSPORT, Ore. - Hoping to improve grazing conditions for wild elk, the Bureau of Land Management begins their annual prescribed burns Tuesday just east of Downtown Reedsport.

Tuesday and Wednesday, the BLM is conducting their annual prescribed burns at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area just off of Highway 38.

Done every summer, BLM Public Affairs Specialist Megan Harper, says it takes a lot of preparation before burning can begin.

"There's a lot of site preparation that needs to go on before you start burning. First we mow and break down all the grasses. Then they actually rake in fuel breaks around the edges of the pasture so the fire can't spread beyond those areas."

The burn is part of the BLM's yearly efforts to make pastures more desirable for the herd of 80 to 100 wild elk that live on the land at Dean Creek.

"It really benefits the elk by removing the grasses that they don't like to eat. There's more flavor-able, more nutritious grass that grows in its place, so the elk have a more nutritious diet and they're more likely to stay in this area as well."

During the burning, the visitors kiosk, restrooms, and portions of Highway 38 may be closed for short periods of time, if it gets too smoky.

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