Deschutes National Forest prescribed burn scheduled for Tuesday near Crescent

CRESCENT, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Firefighters on the Deschutes National Forest plan to conduct a prescribed burn covering up to 187 acres Tuesday, seven miles southwest of Crescent, Oregon. Ignitions are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. near the Rivers North OHV Staging Area and the junction of Highway 58 and Forest Service Road 5825.

The burn will take place on the Rabbit 42A and UB CE 16 Prescribed Burn units within the Crescent Ranger District, provided weather conditions remain favorable. Fire management officials coordinated with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to schedule the operation when weather patterns are expected to clear smoke away from local communities.

Smoke from the operation will be visible from Highway 58 and surrounding areas. The burn site is located about two miles northwest of the Two Rivers subdivision, with smoke impacts expected to be heaviest overnight and in the early morning hours as air settles in low-lying areas.

Officials encourage local residents to keep doors and windows closed at night to minimize smoke exposure. Residents are advised to run portable air cleaners or central air systems with high-efficiency filters if available. Drivers traveling through smoky areas should reduce speed, turn on headlights and set vehicle air systems to recirculate.

Trail #55 within the Three Trails OHV Trails System will close starting Tuesday. The closure will remain in effect for multiple days while firefighters conduct mop-up and patrol operations, with the trail set to reopen once crews determine conditions are safe for the public.