Piles from new lift clearing burned near Mt. Bachelor

Deschutes National Forest fuels specialists on Thursday burned piles of woody debris left over from commercial thinning operations for the construction of a new lift , Cloudchaser, on Mt. Bachelor.

These piles were at 7,600 feet elevation and located in a rocky area with snow drifts. The remainder of the lower elevation piles will be burned this fall in wetter conditions, officials said

The ignitions began around 10 a.m. and were expected to take less than an hour, with smoke visible for 1-2 days following. Smoke and or fire may be visible from high points near Mt Bachelor. Crews will monitor until piles are declared out.

Piles will be monitored until they are considered dead out.