Prescribed burn planned Sunday near Lake Billy Chinook

If conditions remain favorable, firefighters on Sunday will ignite a 123-acre prescribed burn 3 miles southwest of Lake Billy Chinook, the Deschutes National Forest announced.

Ignitions are scheduled for 9 a.m. on Flymon Units 3 and 4. They are located about 4 miles west of the Three Rivers subdivision.

Forest Service officials said this burn will reduce hazardous fuels near the community of Three Rivers, as well as improve habitat for elk and quail.

No closures are anticipated with this prescribed burn. For all prescribed fires, signs will be posted on significant nearby forest roads and state highways that could be impacted.

The public is encouraged to close their windows at night and if smoke is on the roadway, turn on headlights and slow down while traveling through smoky areas.

” The public’s health is important to the Forest Service, ” the news release said. ” While significant preventive measures are taken, many factors influence a person’s susceptibility to smoke, including severity and duration of smoke exposure and a person’s health. ”

” If individuals feel impacted by smoke, they should avoid outdoor physical exertion and remain indoors. If people experience serious health impacts from the smoke, they should contact their doctor. ”

For more information about smoke and health, visit the Oregon Health Authority recommendations through this link: http://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Preparedness/Prepare/Pages/PrepareForWildfire.aspx#health

Fuels specialists will follow policies outlined in the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan, which governs smoke from 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: http://www.centraloregonfire.org or text ” COFIRE ” to
888-777 to receive text alerts.

For more information, visit the Deschutes website at www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes and follow us on twitter @ CentralORFire .