BLM plans pile burning S. of Prineville

With cooler temperatures forecast for next week, Prineville Bureau of Land Management fuels specialists plan to begin burning 400 acres of slash piles adjacent to Millican Road, about 15 miles south of Prineville.

This area was previously designated as a firewood-cutting unit. In this next phase of the restoration process, the remaining slash piles and ground fuels will be burned to lessen juniper encroachment and improve wildlife habitat. The burning will likely take 4-5 days to complete, officials said.

No road closures are anticipated with this project. Smoke will be visible along George Millican Road and could potentially impact Prineville.

If smoke drifts on to roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care. Once ignited, piles are monitored by firefighters until they are declared out.

For more information, visit the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center (COIDC) website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/fire and follow us on twitter @CentralORFire.