Prescribed burns planned on Deschutes Natl. Forest

Beginning Friday and continuing for the next several days, fuels specialists intend to begin burning about 430 acres near Highway 31 southeast of La Pine in the vicinity of Hole-in-the-Ground.

The Ponderosa pine-dominated unit was previously burned nine years ago. Consequently, project objectives include reducing the natural buildup of fuels to maintain desirable conditions.

No road closures are anticipated with either project. However, smoke from operations could impact Highway 31. If smoke drifts on to local roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care.

In addition, beginning Saturday and continuing for the next several days, fuels specialists intend to begin burning about 260 acres divided between two distinct areas near the intersection of Highways 97 and 58 proximate to the Two Rivers North subdivision and also 384 acres about 20 miles southeast of Newberry National Volcanic Monument, near Fox Butte.

Of those, 33 acres are planned to be burned just east of the Two Rivers North subdivision and 225 acres are planned to be burned about a mile south of the Two Rivers North subdivision.

These prescribed fires fall within the boundary of the Walker Range Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Consequently, a specific project objective is to reduce hazardous fuels within the wildland urban interface.

The prescribed fire planned near Fox Butte will help prepare the site for reforestation and also reintroduce fire into a fire-adapted ecosystem.

No road closures are anticipated with either project. However, smoke from the operations near the Two Rivers North subdivision could be visible from Highways 58 and 97 as well as County Road 61.

Smoke from the operations near Fox Butte could be visible to the communities of Fort Rock and also from Quartz Mountain. If smoke drifts on to local roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care.

Fuels specialists will follow policies outlined in the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan, which governs prescribed fires, and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health. Once ignited, units are monitored and patrolled until they are declared out.

or more information, visit the Deschutes National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes and follow us on Twitter @CentralORFire.