The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area will conduct prescribed understory and pile burning in the eastern Gorge this fall and possibly into the winter months.  Scenic Area officials say the focus this year will be on select areas within Klickitat County east of Bingen between Courtney Road and Tracey Hill.  Scenic Area Fuels Manager Roland Rose says they anticipate a weather window in the next month where temperatures, humidity, and ground moisture are right for successful prescribed burn.  Prescribed burning is an effective tool for removing large amounts of vegetation and accumulated woody debris from the forest understory, and helps to recycle soil nutrients, improve wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and increase resiliency of the landscape to the effects of wildfire. Prescribed burning only occurs on days when the Washington State Smoke Management Office determines weather conditions are conducive for ample smoke dispersal.  Once specific dates for burning are confirmed, details will be posted on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Facebook and Twitter pages.   Those with respiratory illnesses or concerns about potential impacts to agricultural interests can request to be on a special call list for advance notifications by contacting the National Scenic Area office at 541-308-1700.