Sisters Ranger District holds public meeting on Akawa Butte Fire recovery plans

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) --- The Sisters Ranger District will host a public meeting on Monday, Sept. 14, to share updates on local vegetation management projects and recovery plans following the Akawa Butte Fire.

The meeting will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Sisters Ranger District office, located at 201 North Pine St. in Sisters.

Forest Service staff will begin the meeting at 5:30 p.m. with a formal presentation covering current vegetation management implementation and the proposed recovery plan for the Sisters Canyons Active Restoration Project. Following the presentation, attendees can participate in a question-and-answer period and small group discussions. Members of the public may also stream the presentation live online by pre-registering.

The Akawa Butte Fire began on July 16 following an intense lightning storm across Central Oregon. The fire burned approximately 27,500 acres overall, including about 12,000 acres within the Deschutes National Forest.

The burned area included approximately 9,321 acres within the Sisters Canyons Active Restoration Project area. The restoration project is currently undergoing National Environmental Policy Act planning review.

For additional details regarding the meeting or vegetation management plans, contact person Lauren DuRocher can be reached at lauren.durocher@usda.gov.

The public meeting will take place on Monday, Sept. 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Sisters Ranger District office.