Prescribed burns planned northwest of La Pine

Fuels specialists on the Deschutes National Forest’s Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District are scheduled to conduct three prescribed burns about 10 miles northwest of La Pine on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Wednesday, PIT 18, just west of Wake Butte and south of Upper Deschutes Road (Forest Road 40) is scheduled to be burned. The 173-acre unit likely will take one day to complete, officials said.

If conditions remain favorable, fuels specialists will continue ignitions on Thursday – the 75-acre Pit 12 unit, and the 51 acre Myst 12 unit. Both are located along South Century Drive, about 1.5 miles west of Fall River Estates.

There are no closures associated with these burns. However, smoke is expected to impact South Century Drive and Upper Deschutes Road during ignitions. If smoke affects the road, the public is reminded to slow down and turn on headlights to help passing motorists see your vehicle.

Fuels specialists follow policies outlined in the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan, which governs prescribed fires (including pile burning) and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.

Keep up with prescribed burns in Central Oregon by clicking on the “Interactive Map” at: https://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/cofms-rxfire/

For up-to-date prescribed burn information, follow on Twitter @CentralORFire.