Bend-area winds prompt open burning closure

Due to expected strong winds Thursday, all open burning in the Deschutes Rural Fire Protection District #2 is closed for the day, officials said.

Open burning is always prohibited inside the city limits You must call the Burn Line, 541-322-6335, prior to ignition, to get the latest burning status, no exceptions! If you burn debris, you must have a copy of the burning regulations (either hard or electronic copy), and please follow them! Winds in Central Oregon in the spring are notoriously variable and squirrelly, please consider the weather when planning to burn We have had a dry winter, so grasses and brush, combined with wind, are more flammable than you might expect. Ensure that you have adequate equipment and people to handle fire that escapes. “The Bend Fire Department has responded to some very large brush fires in March over the years,” officials said. “Make your burning chores successful and safe in 2018!”