Several prescribed burns scheduled around C.O.

(Update: More burns planned near Crescent, Indian Ford area)

The Forest Service plans several prescribed burns around the region in coming days, continuing to use cooler, dryer weather to conduct fall operations.

Fire managers on the Ochoco National Forest plan to conduct a 1,200-acre prescribed burn near Spears Meadow next week along Highway 26 east of Prineville, if weather conditions permit.

This prescribed burn is part of an ongoing series of treatments in the area to restore fire to a fire-adapted forest ecosystem, reduce hazardous fuel loading, and improve range conditions for livestock and big game, officials said Thursday.

The unit is located west of Highway 26 along Forest Road 3350, about 19 miles east of Prineville. See accompanying map of the burn unit, or view a map of current and proposed prescribed burn units in Central Oregon here: https://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/cofms-rxfire/

Ignitions are planned to begin next Tuesday and last for two to three days as needed to complete the unit.

Smoke is likely to impact nearby Highway 26 during periods of active burning. Sign boards and flaggers will be present along the highway as needed.

At night, due to cold nighttime temperatures, smoke will pool into low-level areas and may come into Prineville. This smoke should be of short duration during the early morning hours until the inversion lifts and clear back out of the valleys.

Meanwhile, if conditions remain favorable, fuels specialists on the Crescent District are planning a prescribed burn Friday south of Crescent and 1 mile west of the Highways 97/58 junction.

The two units slated for ignition are Nina 8 and RP 3095 and ignitions on the combined 62 acres should only take on day. No closures are associated with these ignitions, officials.

Also, on Saturday, fuels specialists on the Sisters Ranger District are scheduled to conduct two prescribed burns adjacent to Indian Ford Campground on either side of Indian Ford Creek.

IFR units 36 and 44 are both planned for ignition for a total of 123 acres, and if conditions are favorable, these two units should be completed in one day.

Due to the location of these units, the public could see smoke and drivers may experience smoke impacts on nearby highways and forest roads. For all prescribed fires, signs will be posted on significant nearby Forest roads and state highways that could be impacted.

While there are no road closures anticipated with either burn, drivers may experience smoke impacts on nearby roads. Motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with caution.

Residences and businesses near these burn areas are advised to keep their windows and doors closed during the night hours to minimize any potential smoke impacts.

Prescribed burning is part of a Forest Service program to remove hazardous fuels in order to reduce the potential for high-intensity uncharacteristic fire, while restoring low-intensity fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem and improving range and forest health.

Prescribed burning is a proactive approach to fire management, reintroducing fire in a planned, low-intensity manner that benefits the resources, instead of waiting for an unplanned ignition, such as lightning, to start a wildfire that requires an expensive suppression response and can burn with destructive intensity.

The Forest Service said it “appreciates public tolerance of increased smoke and vehicle traffic in support of these restoration goals.”