Skyliners burn to be visible across area

Given favorable weather conditions, fuels specialists plan to conduct a 43-acre prescribed fire along Skyliners Road near the Skyliner community, about 7 miles west of Bend, on Wednesday.

This prescribed burn falls within the boundary of the Greater Bend Community Wildfire Protection Plan and the objective is to reduce hazardous fuels within the wildland urban interface.

Ignitions are expected to be completed by mid-afternoon and smoke will be visible from Bend, Pilot Butte, Horse Butte, Sunriver and portions of Highway 97.

If smoke drifts on to roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care.

The smoke will dissipate after ignitions have been completed, but smoke could be visible in the burn area for several days. Fuels specialists will be monitoring the burn area until all hot spots are extinguished. No road closures are associated with this burn.

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. Once ignited, units are monitored and patrolled until they are declared out.

No impacts to the city of Bend waterline replacement project are anticipated.

For more information, visit the Ochoco/Deschutes website at www.fs.usda.gov/centraloregon and follow us on twitter @CentralORFire.