Prescribed burns continue in Maury Mountains on Ochoco NF

Fire managers will take advantage of favorable weather conditions today to continue jackpot burning in the Maury Mountains southeast of Prineville.

Jackpot burning is part of a hazardous fuels reduction program that addresses high concentrations of naturally-occurring or thinning-related downed woody debris.

The West Maury Jackpot Burning project will cover about 500 acres spread out across multiple units approximately 12 miles southeast of Post, Ore.

Crews completed around 170 acres of jackpot burning in the Maury Mountains at the end of February before snow halted the project.

Plans also call for jackpot burning on the Crooked River National Grassland this spring.

The Grassland Jackpot Burning project will cover about 500 acres on units between 5 and 15 miles southwest and southeast of Madras, Ore.

The goals for both projects include improvement of wildlife habitat and range conditions, and the reduction of hazardous fuels.

Light smoke will be visible during ignition periods but no impacts to major highways are expected.

Fuels specialists follow policies outlined in the Oregon Smoke Management Plan, which governs prescribed fires (including pile burning) and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.