Pile burning planned on Crooked River Natl. Grassland

Fire managers on the Crooked River National Grassland plan to burn slash piles on about 1,370 acres this week, as weather and conditions allow, officials said Tuesday.

The U.S. Forest Service said burning these units will improve critical winter range for big game while reducing hazardous fuel loading to lower the risk of large-scale wildfire across the landscape.

Beginning late Wednesday morning and continuing through the end of the week, fire managers will take advantage of the warm, drier weather to burn juniper piles scattered across several units adjacent to Grandview, the Three Rivers subdivision and Lake Billy Chinook.

Smoke will be visible throughout the week from Highway 97, but no delays or impacts to travel are expected; however, if smoke drifts onto roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care.

Piles may smolder, burn, and produce smoke for several days after ignition. Once ignited, units are monitored by firefighters until they are 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.

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