Two Burns Scheduled This Week South of Bend

Two Burns Scheduled This Week South of Bend

Burning near La Pine is scheduled for Tuesday

Public Lands South Bend planned for Ignitions on Thursday and Friday

BEND– Given favorable weather conditions, Deschutes National Forest fuel specialists on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District plan to conduct two prescribed burns south of Bend this week.

On Tuesday, fuels specialists plan to ignite 211 acres approximately 20 miles south of Bend. The prescribed fire area is located east of Highway 97 between Forest Road 9725 and 9735. While there are no road closures anticipated with this burn, smoke could impact Highway 97 and motorists are encouraged to drive slowly and use caution on adjacent Forest Roads.

Beginning Thursday, ignitions are planned on two units south of Bend, one mile west of Horse Butte. Winds are forecasted that will facilitate smoke dispersal and minimize impacts to the community. If favorable winds materialize, fire managers could burn up to 337 acres in two days of burning.

Burning in both of these areas is designed to decrease hazardous fuels accumulations within the Wildland Urban Interface adjacent to the city of Bend and surrounding communities to reduce the risk of high intensity wildfire.    

Due to the location of these units, the public could see smoke and drivers may experience smoke impacts on nearby highways and Forest roads. For all prescribed fires, signs will be posted on significant nearby Forest roads and state highways that could be impacted.  No road closures are anticipated with these projects. Residences and businesses in the area are advised to keep their windows and doors closed during the night hours to avoid any potential smoke impacts. 

Fuels specialists will 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.

Keep up with prescribed burns in Central Oregon by visiting this live map: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/cofms-rxfire/

For more information, visit the Deschutes website at www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes and follow us on twitter @CentralORFire.