Prescribed burning on Crooked River Grassland

Over the next two days, Ochoco National Forest fuels specialists will use prescribed fire to burn approximately 150 acres within the Crooked River National Grassland within a project area known as “Coyote Hills”.

The Coyote Hills project is located approximately one mile east of Haystack Reservoir, adjacent to the Haystack Reservoir Campground.

Fuels specialists plan to reduce hazardous fuels near private land and the Haystack Reservoir Campground along with improve wildlife forage and range lands by burning concentrations of previously cut juniper.

No road closures are anticipated with this project. However, smoke will likely be visible from Highway 26 and Highway 97 between Culver and Madras. If smoke drifts on to roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care. Once ignited, projects are monitored by firefighters until they are declared out.

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. For more information, visit the Ochoco/Deschutes website at www.fs.usda.gov/centraloregon