Monday, May 9, 2016

Prescribed Burns Planned Outside of Sisters

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/