BEND– Beginning today and continuing
through the week, fuels specialists plan to burn 167 acres of piles near
Dillion Falls west of Bend.
The units to be burned are approximately five
miles west of Dillion Falls and are concentrations of leftover woody debris associated
with previous vegetation management activities intended to remove hazardous
fuels that can burn during summer wildfires. No road or trail closures are
anticipated with this burning.
Open flames may be present for up to a day and
smoke and steam could remain in the area for over a week. The public is
reminded to not attempt to extinguish these piles if they see smoke or flame.
Fuels specialists will be monitoring these sites until all piles are declared
out.
The units west of Bend can be viewed via the West
Bend Interactive map here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/west-bend/
However, if smoke drifts on to roads, motorists
should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care.
Fuels specialists follow policies outlined in the
Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan, which governs prescribed
fires (including pile burning) and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility
and public health.
For more information, visit the Deschutes website
at www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes and follow us on twitter @CentralORFire.
