Deschutes County is exploring biochar production to manage woody debris from wildfire fuel reduction projects. The county plans to use air curtain burners—specialized equipment that burns biomass with less smoke—to create biochar, a charcoal-like soil amendment. Funding efforts include a potential $1.5 million grant from the Allen Foundation.
The initiative aims to facilitate more extensive fuels reduction while resolving disposal challenges, which currently involve burning or landfilling debris. Biochar, produced through controlled combustion, can improve soil quality and sequester carbon. The county may sell carbon credits from biochar to finance the project.
If the grant is approved, the county may partner with companies that already own air curtain burners for biochar production, sourcing material from local government and private lands.
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