Fire crews to conduct prescribed burn near Madras Tuesday; drivers advised to use caution

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Firefighters will conduct a prescribed jackpot burn on the Crooked River National Grassland beginning Tuesday, March 31. The project will treat approximately 311 acres of land located four miles southeast of Madras.

The burn is situated within Pace Jackpot Burning Unit 3, near Buck Butte and east of Highway 26. Operations are scheduled to continue through Wednesday, April 1, provided that weather and ground conditions remain favorable for the project.

Smoke from the jackpot burning may be visible from Madras, Prineville and the Highway 26 corridor. Light smoke impacts are expected to affect Southeast Grizzly Road, particularly during the overnight and early morning hours when air typically settles into low-lying areas.

Prescribed burn warning signs will be placed in both directions along Grizzly Road and on Highway 26 near the project area. Motorists traveling through the vicinity are advised to reduce their speed, use their headlights and be prepared for changes in visibility.

Following the initial ignition, piles of debris may continue to smolder and produce smoke for several days. Firefighters will remain on the scene to monitor the piles until they are officially declared out. Officials have requested that the public does not report these ignitions.

The project is scheduled to finish on Wednesday, April 1. Fire crews will continue to monitor the 311-acre site until all burning piles are fully extinguished.