Prescribed burn planned Thursday near Pringle Falls

On Thursday, fuels specialists plan to ignite a 127-acre prescribed burn in the Pringle Falls Experimental Forest, about 25 miles southwest of Bend.

The Pringle Falls Experimental Forest is a diverse field laboratory within the Deschutes National Forest.

This is the third consecutive year fuels specialists will be putting fire on the ground in the experimental forest which continues the research of the Pacific Northwest Research Station on fuels management and forest insect and disease issues within ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests.

The objective of the burn is to reduce stand densities, which should lower the susceptibility to catastrophic loss to insects, disease and fire.

There are no road closures anticipated with this burn. Residences and businesses in the areas of the prescribed burn are advised to keep their windows and doors closed during the night hours to avoid any potential smoke impacts. If smoke drifts on to local roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care.

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. Once ignited, units are monitored and patrolled until they are declared out.

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