Deschutes National Forest cancels prescribed burns south of Sisters, SE of Bend, cites ‘unfavorable conditions’

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Due to what it calls "unfavorable conditions, the Deschutes National Forest canceled Thursday's planned prescribed burning operations on the Bend-Fort Rock and Sisters ranger districts

"Firefighters cancelled prescribed burning today upon receiving updated weather forecasts showing low relative humidity and elevated winds," Forest Service Public Affairs Specialist Jaimie Olle told KTVZ News.

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for much of the region, warning of elevated fire weather risk due to much warmer than normal temperatures and dry conditions with low humidity. Winds also could gust to 20-30 mph.

Firefighters on the Sisters Ranger District had planned to conduct up to 42 acres of ignitions on the SAFR 9 and 78 Prescribed Burn units, located 1 1/2 miles south of Sisters, on the east side of Forest Service Road 16 (Three Creek Lake Road) and the south side of FSR 4606 near the junction of the two roads.

The Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District had planned to continue prescribed burning operations on the Flank 5 Prescribed Burn 15 miles southeast of Bend, on the west side of Forest Service Road 18, just north of FSR 18 and FSR 25 junction and Camp II OHV Staging Area.

Trail closures remain in place for the Opine OHV Trails System for Trail #020, #021, #025 and #028 following Wednesday's ignitions, officials said. The closures will remain in place for several days while mop-up and patrol operations continue after the prescribed burn is complete. Firefighters will reopen trails once conditions have been assessed and are determined safe for the public.

More information from the Forest Service:

Prescribed burns 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. While prescribed fire managers take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after a prescribed burn.

What does this mean for you?
During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight and in the early morning hours. 

• All residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to avoid smoke impacts.
• If available, use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best running with doors and windows closed. You can also create a DIY air cleaner.
• If you have a central air system, use it to filter air. Use high-efficiency filters if possible.
• When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating.
• If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, pay attention to how you feel and if symptoms of heart or lung disease worsen, consider contacting your health care professional.
• Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon and visit centraloregonfire.org/protect-your-health for more smoke preparedness resources.

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest visit fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Follow us on X @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.