Prescribed burn planned this week in NW Bend

The Bend Park & Recreation District plans a prescribed field burn Wednesday and Thursday at the Riley Ranch Nature Reserve in northwest Bend.

Officials said the burn will take place on a 25-30 acre field located in the southwest portion of the property, southwest of Glen Vista Road and north of the Deschutes River and Awbrey Butte.

The district is conducting the burn to eliminate undesirable plants, including noxious weeds. It said the prescribed burn will help prepare for restoration of native grasses and forbs at the reserve.

The burn is expected to take two days and will be conducted by a local wildland firefighting and prescribed burning contractor, with assistance from the Bend Fire Department.

It is likely the burn will be visible from many areas of Bend, the park district advised.

For additional information on the prescribed burn or Riley Ranch Nature Reserve, contact Sasha Sulia, Natural Resources Manager, p. 541-706-6203.