Firefighters to ignite 692 acres in Deschutes National Forest for wildfire prevention

The Deschutes National Forest plans to conduct prescribed burning operations on Wednesday and Thursday 15 miles southeast of Bend. Firefighters are scheduled to begin ignitions around 9:30 a.m. on the Opine 2B and Flank five units if weather conditions remain favorable.

The project will cover up to 692 acres of forest land near the Camp II OHV Staging Area. The operation is designed to reduce hazardous fuels and protect nearby homes from the threat of wildfires.

Forest Service officials are working with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to coordinate the timing of the burns. This planning aims to ensure smoke moves away from populated areas, though officials warned that residents may still encounter smoke impacts during the two-day operation.

The prescribed burns are located 15 miles southeast of Bend on the west side of Forest Service Road 18. The operation area sits just north of the junction with Forest Service Road 25 near the Camp II OHV Staging Area. Firefighters intend to complete the ignitions over a two-day period.

Smoke from the operations will be visible from Highway 20. Forest management officials noted that prescribed burns are scheduled for times when weather conditions are most likely to move smoke up and away from local communities. Despite these measures, some smoke may still be experienced during or immediately after the burn.

Several routes within the Opine OHV Trails System will be closed to ensure public safety. These closures include Trail #020, #021, #025 and #028. The trails will remain inaccessible for multiple days while fire crews perform mop-up and patrol operations.

Residents in the area may notice smoke settling in low-lying areas overnight and during early morning hours. Officials encourage neighbors to close all doors and windows at night. The use of portable air cleaners or high-efficiency filters in central air systems is also recommended to maintain indoor air quality.

Drivers traveling through smoky conditions are advised to slow down and turn on their headlights. Motorists should also set their vehicle ventilation systems to recirculate air to avoid pulling smoke into the cabin. Individuals with heart or lung disease, asthma or other chronic conditions are encouraged to monitor their symptoms and contact a health care professional if their condition worsens.

The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of public land and maintains the largest wildland fire research organization in the world. The agency oversees approximately 130 million acres of urban forests where most Americans live. Additional information regarding smoke safety and text alerts is available through the Central Oregon Fire website.

Forest officials will reopen the affected trails once the area has been assessed and determined safe for the public. Further updates on prescribed burning in the Deschutes National Forest will be posted to the agency website and social media channels.