Prescribed burn planned near Sisters Thursday

Given favorable weather conditions, Deschutes National Forest firefighters on the Sisters Ranger District plan to conduct a prescribed burn on Thursday.

Unseasonably warm weather conditions will allow firefighters to ignite the approximately 86-acre burn located 2 ½ miles southwest of Sisters and about 2 miles south of the Crossroads subdivision.

Burning in this unit is designed to decrease hazardous fuels accumulations within the wildland urban interface near to the city of Sisters and surrounding communities to reduce the risk of high-intensity wildfire.

Due to the location of these units, the public could see smoke and drivers may experience smoke impacts on nearby highways and forest roads.

For all prescribed fires, signs will be posted on significant nearby forest roads and state highways that could be impacted, officials said.

No road closures are anticipated with these projects, but smoke could potentially impact Highway 242 and Highway 20. Residences and businesses in the area are advised to keep their windows and doors closed during the night hours to avoid any potential smoke impacts.

Fuels specialists will 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.

Keep up with prescribed burns in Central Oregon by visiting this live map: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/cofms-rxfire/