Prescribed Burns Planned for Today and Tomorrow

Central Oregon – Today, firefighters will be igniting a prescribed burn on unit COD #7, which is directly across Cascade Lakes Highway from the Rimrock Trailhead burn. Fire managers will be closing sections of the new paved path around the under crossing for public safety during operations. Also today, firefighters will be igniting a prescribed burn on the Sisters Ranger District, Met WUI 16 & 30, for a total of 229 acres. This unit is located approximately 1 ½ miles south of Camp Sherman Store and 4 miles north of Black Butte Ranch. No road closures are associated with this burn.

Tomorrow firefighters have scheduled a prescribed burn for Shevlin Park units 5 and 6A approximately 1/2 north of Skyliners Road on Bend Park and Recreation District property.

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. The public is encouraged to close their windows at night and if smoke is on the roadway, turn on headlights and slow down while traveling through smoky areas. The public’s health is important to the Forest Service. While significant preventive measures are taken, many factors influence a person’s susceptibility to smoke, including severity and duration of smoke exposure and a person’s health. If individuals feel impacted by smoke, they should avoid outdoor physical exertion and remain indoors. If people experience serious health impacts from the smoke, they should contact their doctor. For more information about smoke and health, visit the Oregon Health Authority recommendations through this link: http://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Preparedness/Prepare/Pages/PrepareForWildfire.aspx#health

Fuels specialists will follow policies outlined in the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan, which governs smoke from 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. 

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