As snow moves in, Deschutes County Road Department says it’s ready for winter work

(Update: adding video, Doty comments)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The winter season is officially here, as most Central Oregonians are seeing out the window or on the streets Wednesday can see, which means you'll start seeing more snowplows out on roads around Deschutes County.

Deschutes County Road Department Director Chris Doty told NewsChannel 21 on Wednesday the county starts thinking about the winter season once the summer season ends.

“(Our drivers) are raring and ready to go, in terms of snow and ice,” Doty said.

The road department employs about 25 snowplow operators.

Last year's winter season was drier than usual, so the department did not spend as much money on plowing, according to Doty.

"We most likely saved money last year," Doty said. "But the money we do not spend on snow and ice is invested in other maintenance."

Depending on how much snow Central Oregon sees this winter, Doty's drivers could be out plowing until March or April.

“We stop when the snow stops," Doty said.

The county's Snow and Ice Plan is online at: https://www.deschutes.org/road/page/snow-and-ice-plan.