Remnants of Black Butte Lookout ‘ground house’ to be burned

Fuels specialists on the Sisters Ranger District are scheduled to burn the remains of the Black Butte Lookout Ground House next week. The structure is less than one acre, but smoke will be visible from the top of Black Butte while burning takes place, officials said Tuesday.

Depending on weather conditions, the remnants of the structure could be burned Tuesday , Wednesday or Thursday of next week.

The structure was once used by staff lookouts at Black Butte for sleeping and cooking but fell into disrepair and was condemned in 2014.

Black Butte Lookout is staffed every summer during fire season, and lookouts now sleep and cook in a yurt at the base of the lookout tower.

No closures are anticipated with this burn. However, smoke could impact hikers on Black Butte. Once ignited, the remnants of the house will be monitored by firefighters until it is declared out.

Fuels specialists follow policies outlined in the Oregon Department of Forestry 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 Deschutes website at www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes and follow us on twitter @CentralORFire.