Prescribed burns planned near Sisters, in Maury Mtns.

Given favorable weather conditions, Deschutes National Forest fuel specialists on the Sisters Ranger District plan to conduct a prescribed burn west of Sisters starting as early as Tuesday.

The prescribed fire area is three miles west of Sisters and mile north of the Cold Springs Campground. The 160-acre “SAFR” unit is also about two miles south of Black Butte Ranch.

The prescribed fire objectives include modifying fuel arrangements in historically fire-adapted ecosystems, improving wildlife habitat, and minimizing the potential of future high-intensity wildfires.

The communities of Black Butte Ranch and Cascade Meadow Ranch could be impacted by smoke as a result this project.

Due to the location of these units, the public could see smoke and drivers may experience smoke impacts on nearby highways and Forest roads. For all prescribed fires, signs will be posted on significant nearby Forest roads and state highways that could be impacted. No road closures are anticipated with these projects.

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

Meanwhile, fire managers were taking advantage of favorable weather conditions Tuesday to continue jackpot burning in 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 approximately 12 miles southeast of Post.

Crews completed around 170 acres of jackpot burning in the Maury Mountains at the end of February before snow halted the project.

Plans also call for jackpot burning on the Crooked River National Grassland this spring.

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.