Watch for smoke: Crooked River National Grassland plans pile burning near Skull Hollow Trail, Campground

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crooked River National Grassland and Ochoco National Forest are planning prescribed fire operations this Tuesday at 10 a.m., pending all required approvals.

Prescribed fires planned for the area include:

• Pace Jackpot burning project area, about 78 acres on the Crooked River National Grassland.
• The project area is primarily located around Skull Hollow Trail and Campground, approximately three miles southeast of Highway 26, along SE Lone Pine Road.

Those areas may closed to the public for several days for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns, the Forest Service said in a news release Monday that continues below:

Prescribed burning will be managed by Forest Service resources from the Ochoco National Forest. Forest Service personnel will be on scene throughout the operation to ensure safe and effective implementation.

Smoke may be visible from Prineville, Terrebonne, the Lone Pine area, and along the Highway 26 corridor. Light smoke impacts are possible along SE Lone Pine Road, particularly overnight and in the early-morning hours, as air settles into low-lying areas.

Prescribed burn warning signs will be placed along Lone Pine Road near Skull Hollow Campground. Drivers should slow down and use headlights if visibility is reduced.

Prescribed burning will only occur when weather, fuel moisture, and air quality conditions meet criteria for safe and effective operations. If conditions are not suitable, ignitions will be postponed.

We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.

Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. For more detailed information about air quality, go to AirNow online or download the app. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.

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