BLM plans pile-burning south of La Pine

Fuels specialists with the Prineville BLM plan to complete two pile-burning projects south of La Pine over the next week, based on the current weather forecast.

The projects are located at La Pine State Park, and 1 miles west of Hwy 97, on both sides of Maston Road. If favorable weather conditions remain in place, fire crews will begin burning Friday, and will burn about 70 acres of piles.

The goal of the pile burning is to reduce hazardous fuels leftover from recent thinning projects, designed to reduce the potential for wildfire to move from public to private lands.

While many of these areas had biomass removed as part of the project, not all material was able to be used. The remaining material has been piled in preparation for burning.

Although not expected to linger, smoke may be visible to residents in nearby subdivisions, or visitors traveling through areas. No road closures are anticipated with any of these burns; however, smoke may settle in along Maston Road. Where necessary, motorists should reduce speeds and turn on headlights.

All controlled burns are completed in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan. These burns meet the recommendations put forth in the Redmond, La Pine Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which describes opportunities to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire in these parts of Central Oregon. For more information about prescribed burning, please contact the Prineville BLM at (541) 416-6700.