Wildfire Prevention

Working to prevent wildfire through responsible management

How Rayonier foresters and the contractors we work with are striving to prevent wildfires in our communities.

Using forest management to reduce wildfire risk

Forest Management is a rigorous combination of practices and technologies that reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfires and mega fires. On Rayonier land, we regularly assess fire risk and apply the following techniques as needed to reduce fire risk:

Join Rayonier at a controlled burn site in Forks, WA. We talk about the work we're doing to reduce wildfire risk. We also go to Port Gamble, WA, to hear from a Washington Department of Natural Resources fire regulation program manager who talks about the important role forestry companies play in both preventing and responding to wildfires in their communities.

Controlled burning during low wildfire risk to reduce fuels in a managed setting

Preparing brush and debris to burn at a safe time

Making fire breaks, which are open areas that can stop fire spread

Proper spacing of planted trees to ensure they’re healthy and hydrated

Reducing vegetation which, if left unchecked, acts as fuel for a fire

Choosing root rot resistant trees, which are less susceptible to fire, in the Pacific Northwest

Thinning forests to ensure the remaining trees have adequate water and space

Watching for pests and different diseases, which can increase fire hazard

Fertilizing occasionally to ensure tree health

Diversifying tree ages and species, which can break up the continuity a fire may need to spread

Did you know?

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Trees in managed forests absorb more water because they have less competition. This makes them more able to withstand a small fire and more likely to slow a wildfire down.
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Managed forests typically have more accessible roads, making a safer work environment for firefighters in the event of an emergency.
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Controlled burns have been used for centuries. Native peoples first began using prescribed burns to prevent wildfires 100s of years ago.
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Burn activities are always done in cooperation with local fire officials on our properties.
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We cooperate with state and local agencies to fight wildfires by providing firefighting resources and labor, detailed maps of our ownership, and access through our property.

Scheduled Controlled Burns: Rayonier Pacific Northwest Ownership

Rayonier cares about protecting the communities where we live and work. We use prescribed burning to reduce future wildfire risk when conditions are safe for these types of operations, such as during cooler and wetter weather. The forestry team focuses on the elimination of fuels such as debris and understory vegetation that could pose a risk.

* Note: Rayonier's controlled burn notices are issued on a county-by-county basis in the Pacific Northwest only. While controlled burning does occasionally take place in our other U.S. locations, it is most frequent in our Pacific Northwest forests.

Location

Date Range

Additional Information

Location:

Washington - Jefferson County

Date Range:

10/20/25 - 4/15/26

Additional Information:

A map of the specific locations where this permitted controlled burn operation will take place can be viewed here. More information on permitted burns in Washington state are shared on this Department of Natural Resources website: burnportal.dnr.wa.gov.

Location:

Washington - Pierce County

Date Range:

10/20/25 - 4/15/26

Additional Information:

If You See Smoke

If you are near a prescribed burn operation, you may see fire or smoke. All burning is done in cooperation with local fire officials and is weather-dependent. Smoke impacts are expected to be minimal.

If you are unsure whether a fire is a part of a controlled effort or if you are looking for information about wildfires in your area, please check with your local fire services or use the resources below:

Controlled Burns as a Silvicultural Tool

Prescribed fire demonstrates good stewardship from a management perspective

There are many ways fire benefits the forest beyond wildfire prevention:

At planting time, fire is used to eliminate competing vegetation, allowing baby trees to take root.
Fire breaks down debris and returns nutrients to the soil, providing what is needed to nourish the forest.
Controlled burning eliminates certain diseases in the forest, such as brown spot needle blight in longleaf pines.
Burning supports a healthy wildlife population by opening areas for feeding and travel and allowing space for different plant species to grow, such as herbs and legumes.

You can read more about the benefits of prescribed fire in this article by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Your Safety Comes First

When fire does break out in our communities, the safety of our employees and contractors, firefighters and the public comes first. Depending on the location of wildfires and risk of fire breaking out on or near our properties, we may limit access to them. Please use our interactive access map at this link to view your area and determine whether there are closures.

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