Sisters– Fuels specialists
on the Sisters Ranger District plan to ignite two prescribed burns outside of
Sisters beginning as early as Wednesday.
If conditions remain favorable, 83
acres within the SAFR NE Unit boundary will be ignited on Wednesday. These
units are 2 miles west of Sisters on the north side of Highway 242, immediately
west of Tollgate Subdivision. A second prescribed burn is planned 2 miles west
of Camp Sherman for Thursday. Fuels specialists are looking to ignite 143 acres
within the Wildland Urban Interface.
These burns are designed to
decrease hazardous fuels accumulations within the Wildland Urban Interface
adjacent to Tollgate Subdivision, Camp Sherman and Sisters. The project
will also reintroduce fire into a fire adapted ecosystem, increasing the
resiliency of the forest.
Residences and businesses near
these burn areas are advised to keep their windows and doors closed during the
night hours to minimize any potential smoke impacts. While there are no road
closures anticipated with either burn, drivers may experience smoke impacts on
nearby roads. If smoke drifts onto roads, motorists should slow down,
turn on headlights, and proceed with caution.
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/
