Ochoco Natl. Forest plans 2,560-acre prescribed burn near Big Summit Prairie

Expected to begin Friday, if weather cooperates; 500-700 acres a day

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- If conditions remain favorable, firefighters are planning a 2,560-acre prescribed burn north of Big Summit Prairie on the Ochoco National Forest. Ignitions will begin Friday and are expected to take about five days to complete.

Crews will be lighting the prescribed burn in HEJ burn blocks 1-7, with low-intensity fire reducing hazardous fuels and improving the condition of riparian vegetation along stream and riverbanks, officials said.

Ignitions are planned for 10 a.m. Friday, and firefighters are planning to burn 1-2 blocks a day for 500-700 acres until ignitions are complete.

Firefighters from each division of the Central Oregon Fire Management Service (Ochoco and Deschutes National Forest and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management), in addition to Crook County Fire and Rescue, Sunriver Fire Department and the Alfalfa Fire District, will be working together to successfully implement the burn and hold fire along fire lines and roads.

When ignitions are complete, firefighters will mop up and patrol the perimeter for the next several weeks.  

No closures are anticipated with this operation. However, if smoke drifts on to roads, motorists are advised to slow down, turn on headlights and proceed with care.

The public’s health is important to the Forest Service, the agency said. While significant preventive measures are taken, many factors influence a person’s susceptibility to smoke, including severity and duration of smoke exposure and a person’s health.

If individuals feel impacted by smoke, they should avoid outdoor physical exertion and remain indoors. If people experience serious health impacts from the smoke, they should contact their doctor.

For more information about smoke and health, visit the Oregon Health Authority recommendations through this link: http://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Preparedness/Prepare/Pages/PrepareForWildfire.aspx#health

Fuels specialists will follow policies outlined in the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan, which governs smoke from prescribed fires (including pile burning), and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.

Keep up with prescribed burns in Central Oregon by visiting: http://www.centraloregonfire.org

For more information, visit the Ochoco website at www.fs.usda.gov/ochoco and follow us on twitter @CentralORFire.