Prescribed burn conducted west of Bend on up to 111 acres; forest roads, trails affected

(Update: Burn underway)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Firefighters on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District were conducting prescribed burning Tuesday on up to 111 acres on the Tiddly Winks Unit 9 Prescribed Burn unit, about a mile west of Bend.

A test firing was successful at the burn location, south of the Cascade Lakes Highway, along the west side of Forest Service Road 41, near the Aspen and Dillon Falls Day Use areas. 

Officials say smoke will be visible from the Cascade Lakes Highway, Bend and the surrounding area.

Residents in Bend and those south and east of the Deschutes River, including Sunriver, La Pine and Redmond were encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning hours. 

The southbound lane of FSR 41 is closed due to smoke impacts from operations. A pilot car and flaggers will escort motorists through the area. 

In addition, trail closures are in place for portions of Storm King and Catch and Release. The entire portion of Storm King south of Cascade Lakes Highway will be closed. Catch and Release is closed from the junction with FSR 100 south to FSR 490. FSR 4110, FSR 4110-650 and FSR 490 are closed in their entirety.

These trail and road closures will remain in place for several days while mop-up and patrol operations continue after the prescribed burn is complete. Trails and roads will reopen once conditions have been assessed and are determined safe for the public. 

Here's the rest of the announcement:

Firefighters implement understory prescribed burning to reduce wildfire risk to communities. Prescribed burning reintroduces and maintains fire within our fire-dependent ecosystem by removing concentrations of vegetation and restoring forest health while increasing public and firefighter safety. 

Fire management officials work with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists to plan prescribed burns. Prescribed burns are conducted when weather is most likely to move smoke up and away from our communities. While prescribed fire managers take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after a prescribed burn.  

What does this mean for you? 

During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight and in the early morning hours.  

• All residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to avoid smoke impacts. 

• If available, use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best running with doors and windows closed. You can also create a DIY air cleaner. 

• If you have a central air system, use it to filter air. Use high-efficiency filters if possible. 

• When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating. 

• If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, pay attention to how you feel and if symptoms of heart or lung disease worsen, consider contacting your health care professional. 

• Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon and visit When Smoke is in the Air for more smoke preparedness resources. 

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest visit fs.usda.gov/r06/deschutes. Follow us on X/Twitter @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.