The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area will conduct prescribed burning in the eastern Gorge starting as soon as early this week.  This year’s activities will focus on select areas in Klickitat County east of Bingen between Courtney Road and Tracy Hill.  The prescribed burns are planned between late September and January, as part of an ongoing fire and fuels management program.  The actual day of ignition will be selected when factors such as humidity, wind speed and direction, temperature and moisture levels help ensure a well-controlled fire.  Prescribed burning only occurs on days when the Washington State Smoke Management Office determines that weather conditions are met for smoke dispersal, and is used by fire managers to reduce ground vegetation and accumulated woody debris from the forest understory, and help restore historic vegetative landscapes in the eastern Gorge.  Prescribed burns also help recycle soil nutrients, improve wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and increase resiliency to the effects of wildfire.  Smoke may be visible on Washington State Route 14 and Interstate 84 at times during the prescribed burns.  Those with medical conditions may request to be placed on a call list for advance notifications by contacting the National Scenic Area office at 541-308-1700.