Prescribed burn on Pine Mountain canceled due to unfavorable conditions

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Prescribed burn ignitions on Pine Mountain, located 14 miles southeast of Bend, were cancelled for Thursday due to unfavorable conditions. The area remains temporarily closed to traffic and recreation.

The Pine Mountain area closures include Forest Service Road 2017 and Pine Mountain Campground. These closures are expected to remain in place for multiple days while firefighters conduct mop-up and patrol operations after the prescribed burn is complete. Prescribed burns can protect homes from tragic wildfires.

The temporary closure to traffic on Pine Mountain affects off-highway vehicles and paragliding. Dispersed recreation opportunities are also unavailable during this period. Firefighters will reopen roads and recreation sites after assessing conditions and determining they are safe for the public.

Fire management officials plan prescribed burns in coordination with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists. These burns are conducted when weather conditions are most likely to move smoke up and away from local communities. While preventive measures are taken, communities may still experience some smoke during or immediately after a prescribed burn.

For additional information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, the public can visit centraloregonfire.org. Information specific to the Deschutes National Forest is available at fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Updates are also provided on X @CentralORFire, and wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts can be received by texting "COFIRE" to 888-777.

Closures will remain in place for multiple days. Firefighters will reopen roads and recreation sites once conditions have been assessed and are determined safe for the public.