Wildfire fuels reduction project set to get underway in Deschutes River Woods
(Update: Added video)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Work begins next week to reduce wildfire risk by removing flammable vegetation on ODOT and railroad property in the Deschutes River Woods community, Bend Fire & Rescue officials said Friday.
The Deschutes River Woods Wildfire Fuels Mitigation Project is part of a three-year Oregon State Fire Marshal Community Wildfire Risk Reduction grant awarded to Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District #2.
The project aims to remove brush and ladder fuels, small trees no larger than six inches in diameter, that contribute to extreme fire behavior, officials said.
The project area includes BNSF Railway and ODOT lands between Highway 97 and Cheyenne Road, with the northern boundary north of Baker Road, extending south to the Forest Service boundary. No private residences or public properties will be affected.
Work is expected to continue through spring and will end once fire season begins or conditions become too dry, whichever comes first. Additional work will resume in the fall, after fire season concludes.
Deschutes River Woods, south of Bend, has been identified as a high-risk area for extreme wildfire behavior. This grant funding allows the fire district to enhance the community’s resiliency by improving emergency access and egress for residents and first responders, as well as promoting vegetation health and wildlife habitat.
The project will treat 156 acres of wildfire fuels, creating a fuel break in the wildland-urban interface between forested land and populated areas.
Education and outreach about the project began last fall, with a Wildfire Preparedness presentation for the Deschutes River Woods community, hosted by Bend Fire & Rescue with support from partners such as Project Wildfire, OSFM, the Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, Think Wild, OSU Extension Service, Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and Discover Your Forest.
“This project is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to protect Deschutes County residents from the growing threat of wildfires,” said Roger Johnson, the fire district's CEO. “We selected Deschutes River Woods due to its high volume of wildland fuels and overall wildfire risk. We’re also excited to collaborate with partners like ODOT and BNSF Railway, and we’re proud to make a positive impact on wildfire prevention and community resiliency.”
Contractor Burnbot, Inc. will carry out the work using various treatments, including low-noise remote mastication equipment to minimize disturbance to the community. Burnbot, Inc. prioritizes safety and environmental care and will maintain an ongoing fire watch, with a Type 6 engine on standby as temperatures rise.
Project staff will visit local residents to notify them of upcoming work and remind them to keep pets at a safe distance. For questions about the project, contact Bend Fire & Rescue at 541-322-6300.
