Prescribed burns will begin as soon as today on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, the agency at Kamiah announced Monday.

Warmer and drier conditions the next few days “have opened a window of opportunity” for the burns to be implemented, according to a news release from the forest. The goal of the burns is to “reducing future wildfire risks and to improve ecosystems resilience across the region,” according to the news release.

The burns will be conducted in the Moose Creek, North Fork, Palouse, Red River, and Salmon River ranger districts.

The burns will take place this week, and “we anticipate wet weather entering this weekend, which will help clear out smoke produced from projects this week,” said Theodore Peterson, fuels program manager, in the news release.