More prescribed burns planned across region

In addition to the “Mix 54” and “Sua” units planned to be burned by the Bend Ft. Rock Ranger District Tuesday and Wednesday, fuels specialists with the Sisters and Crescent Ranger Districts plan to burn three more areas beginning Wednesday.

Beginning Wednesday and possibly continuing Thursday, fuels specialists with the Sisters Ranger District will use prescribed fire to burn up to 300 acres within an area 1 miles northwest of Camp Sherman and mile southwest of the Jack Creek Campground, known as “1425”. Signs will be posted on Forest Roads 12, 1420, and 1425, which might be impacted by smoke.

Depending on conditions, Thursday, fuels specialists with the Crescent Ranger District will use prescribed fire to burn approximately 250 acres across two units.

The first unit, “Jig 1”, is planned for an area near Wickiup Reservoir, approximately mile west of the Cascade Lakes Highway along Forest Road 4652. The second unit, “Weiser 66”, is planned for an area near the Two Rivers North and Cascade Estates subdivisions along Highway 58. Smoke could be visible along Cascade Lakes Highway near Wickiup Reservoir and along Highway 58 in the vicinity of mile post 80.

Due to the size and location of all three burns the public could see visible plumes of smoke and drivers may experience smoke impacts on nearby highways and Forest roads. If smoke drifts onto roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care.

For more information, please visit the “Prescribed Fires” link on the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center website, http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/fire/

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Monday news release:

Over the next three days, Deschutes National Forest fuel specialists on the Bend-Ft. Rock District plan to conduct two prescribed fires east of La Pine and west of Sunriver.

On Tuesday, fuel specialists will use prescribed fire to burn approximately 62 acres within an area 19 miles east of La Pine, near Red Butte, known as “Mix 54.”

Signs will be posted on Forest Service roads 22 and 2240, which might be impacted by smoke, especially in the morning hours after implementation.

Beginning Wednesday, fuel specialists will use prescribed fire to burn approximately 167 acres within an area two miles west of Sunriver, near Besson Day Use Area and Boat Ramp, known as “Sua.”

Due to the size and location of this project, the public will see visible plumes of smoke and drivers may experience smoke impacts on nearby Forest roads. Signs will be posted on Forest Service road 40 near the community of Spring River, on Forest Service road 41 located north of the burn and on Forest Service road 4180 located west of the burn.

Ignitions for both projects are expected to begin around 11 a.m.

If smoke drifts on to roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care.

For more information, please visit the “Prescribed Fire” link on the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center website, http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/fire/