Prescribed Burn Clears Overgrowth at Lilja Property
Cow Creek Tribal Fire Management personnel conducted a prescribed cultural burn on Tribal property located near Edies Lane in Myrtle Creek on September 23. The 70-acre lot, which is used primarily for grazing, had recently been treated for blackberry overgrowth and weeds. Tribal Natural Resources staff requested the remaining brambles and grass be burned, a practice utilized by Native American Tribes to rejuvenate their lands and restore balance to the soil. Fire Management personnel created a safe and effective burn plan for the operation, considering various factors such as landscape, fuel loading, weather conditions, and humidity levels, and determined the morning of September 23 to be the optimal burn window. Cow Creek Tribal member and Education Officer Jesse Jackson provided a cultural blessing for the burn prior to ignition, ensuring a safe and efficient operation. The entire burning operation took approximately two hours, with no escaped fires and no injuries to personnel.
By blending modern technologies such as weather forecasting and fire management with traditional indigenous practices, Tribal Fire Management helped restore balance to the land. Not only does the burning help remove invasive blackberries and other weeds, but it also encourages grass growth, attracting elk and other wildlife to these traditional Tribal hunting grounds.
Cow Creek Tribal Fire Management was assisted by personnel from Myrtle Creek Fire Department, Riddle Rural Fire Protection District, DFPA, Cow Creek Tribal Forestry, Cow Creek Natural Resources, and Umpqua Indian Development Corporation (UIDC).
