Prescribed burn planned Friday near Sisters

Fuels specialists on the Sisters Ranger District are planning a 145-acre prescribed burn on Friday, three miles west of Sisters and two miles southwest of Highway 20.

The burn should take a day to complete, officials said

Fuels specialists anticipate that the smoke column from the burn will be visible in Sisters. Black Butte Ranch, Crossroads, Tollgate and the Cascade Meadow Ranch subdivision may experience some smoke impacts from the prescribed 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.

This goal of the project is to restore Ponderosa pine ecosystems to healthier, more resilient natural conditions and to improve wildlife habitat by reducing decadent bitterbrush and reinvigorating forage.

Following the burn, fuels specialists will be mopping-up and working in the area for about a week after the burn is completed.

Drivers may experience smoke impacts on Highway 242 and Forest Road 1012. As with all prescribed fires, signs will be posted on significant nearby Forest roads that could be impacted by smoke. The Oregon Department of Forestry will be assisting with the project.

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