Firefighters on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District plan to carry out 2,700 acres of prescribed fire within the wildland-urban interface next to Sunriver and La Pine.
Ignitions are expected to start next week, May 9 through May 13, and will intermittently occur over the next four to six weeks as conditions exist for safe and effective operations.
Fire managers are performing burns to reduce hazardous fuels accumulation decreasing the risk of high-intensity wildfire in the area, according to the Deschutes National Forest.
The Sunriver area prescribed fire units include:
- 700 acres near Cottonwood Road between Highway 97 and Sunriver
- 1,000 acres south of Anne’s Butte and west of the Three Rivers subdivision
- 1,300 acres east of Highway 97 and south of Lava River Cave
Each area will consist of three to four days of ignitions.
Near La Pine, firefighters plan to conduct 750 acres of prescribed fire east of Newberry Estates next to County Road 21.
Additionally, if favorable conditions occur this spring, fire managers will implement 150 acres of prescribed fire west of Bend.
Prescribed fires can protect homes from tragic wildfires.
Fire management officials work with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to plan prescribed burns.
Prescribed burns are conducted when weather is most likely to move smoke up and away from our communities.
Sometimes, weather patterns change, and some smoke will be present during prescribed burns.
What does this mean for you?
During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight.
- 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 fire in Central Oregon
For more information on hazardous fuels reduction projects in Central Oregon, you can visit the interactive website or www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes.
