Prescribed burns planned on Ochoco NF, grassland

Fire managers plan to take advantage of recent warmer weather to conduct jackpot burning across as many as 1,000 acres over the coming weeks between the Crooked River National Grassland and the Maury Mountains southeast of Prineville.

Jackpot burning is part of a hazardous fuels reduction program that addresses high concentrations of naturally-occurring or thinning-related downed woody debris.

The West Maury Jackpot Burning project will cover about 500 acres spread out across multiple units about 12 miles southeast of Post.

The Grassland Jackpot Burning project will cover about 500 acres on units between 5 and 15 miles southwest and southeast of Madras.

The goals for both projects include improvement of wildlife habitat and range conditions, and the reduction of hazardous fuels.

Light smoke will be visible during ignition periods, but no impacts to major highways are expected.

Fuels specialists follow policies outlined in the Oregon Smoke Management Plan, which governs prescribed fires (including pile burning) and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.

For more information, visit the Ochoco National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/ochoco and follow us on Twitter @CentralORFire.