Planned burn, danger tree removal to affect Highway 26

Two planned activities in the coming week are expected to slow the travel time for motorists on U.S. Highway 26 crossing through the Ochoco National Forest.

Next Monday and Tuesday, the Ochoco National Forest plans to conduct a prescribed burn about 19 miles east of Prineville in a unit bordering Highway 26. Smoke will be very visible along the highway during the two days of planned ignitions and is expected to linger for several days.

Signs and flaggers will be present along the highway to direct traffic as needed during periods of impacted visibility.

Read more about the planned Spears prescribed burn here: https://go.usa.gov/xQNnm

Also, starting Monday, Oregon Department of Transportation workers also plan to begin falling danger trees along the Highway 26 corridor through the Ochoco National Forest. Work will begin at milepost 36.5 at the forest’s western boundary on the highway, and continue east to milepost 50 at Ochoco Divide.

Danger tree falling is planned to start about 10 a.m. on Monday and continue each day from 7 am to 4 pm Monday through Thursday until May 24. Flaggers will be present and motorists can expect some delays while tree falling operations are underway.

Danger trees are those trees with the recognized potential to fall into the highway and cause human injury or damage to property. Trees are being removed within the state’s highway right of way through National Forest System lands.

The Forest Service asks woodcutters not to harvest these trees for personal use firewood because the Forest plans to offer them under a commercial timber sale.

As always, the Forest Service thanks the public for their patience during these temporary inconveniences in support of restoration and management goals.