Fuel break work begins for Bend’s watershed

This week, the Deschutes National Forest’s Bend-Ft. Rock Ranger District is began the first stage of work to create a strategic fuel break for the City of Bend’s municipal watershed.

The project area is located about 12 miles west of Bend between the Three Sisters Wilderness boundary and the Bear Wallows Inventoried Roadless Area along the 4601-370 road.

The project will create a 50-200 foot wide fuel break along the 4601-370 road to provide safe entry into and exit from the area for the public and fire crews during a wildfire. It will also provide a safe location for fire crews to defend the area if a wildfire advances towards the Bend Municipal Watershed.

Sisters Forest Products LLC is implementing the first phase of the project with the removal of dead trees from 172 acres. The fuelwood will be removed with logging equipment and the first loads will be hauled down the 4601 road, averaging one load per day.

There are no trail closures anticipated with this activity, but users of the Metolius Windigo Trail and the Mrazek Trail where it crosses the 4601 road will need to be aware of potential activity and be cautious when travelling through the area. To complete the project, activity in the area will continue seasonally through 2018.