NAS Whidbey Island’s Natural Resources Management Program, in cooperation with the installation’s federal fire department and the Nature Conservancy, has planned a control burn of a 10-acre grassland piece on Forbes Point.

The proposed burn area is located near the Maylor Point housing area south of the garden plots and east of Baker Court, out to the gravel road that runs along the bluff. The prescribed burn is to control brush and voles as part of a habitat enhancement activity for the federally threatened golden paintbrush found in that area.

In the last two-years, the golden paintbrush population on Forbes Point has had a major population decline and could disappear from the site soon if the decline is not halted. Golden Paintbrush experts agree that the decline is most likely caused by a combination of invading brush and a large number of voles eating the remaining plants.

Burning the habitat is the best way to return balance to the area and give Golden Paintbrush a chance to recover.

The burn is scheduled to occur on or after Aug. 15, after the Golden Paintbrush plants have “gone to seed” and when conditions are suitable to safely conduct the operation. The burn will be done under an approved burn plan and supervised by a certified control burn expert from The Nature Conservancy, with fire control activities provided by the Federal Fire Department.

The fire will only be initiated when wind conditions are suitable to safely carry the fire and smoke away from the housing area and out toward Crescent Harbor.

Firebreaks will be mowed around the area with “wet-lines” placed within them to provide extra protection for surrounding areas.

Local resource agencies and nearby residents will get additional notification on the day of the control burn during set-up prior to fire initiation. If you have any question or would like to have additional information, please contact the installation natural resource staff at the Environmental Affairs Department at 360-257-1009.