Starting Thursday, if weather allows, Sisters Ranger District firefighters will ignite up to 450 acres. The prescribed burn units are located outside of city limits, however smoke will be visible from Highway 20.
This is just the first of many prescribed burns this year. During 2023 prescribed burning season, the Deschutes National Forest hopes to accomplish up to 13,000 acres of burning.
According to the Deschutes National Forest, here is what this means for you:
- All residents are encouraged to close windows at night to avoid smoke impacts
- When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down and turn on headlights
- If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, ask your doctor about how to protect yourself from smoke
- Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon
Prescribed burning help reduce wildfire risk and improve resiliency of forest conditions. They are controlled burns that fire fighters monitor.
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