Update: Deschutes National Forest begins, will continue 500-acre prescribed burn SE of Bend
(Update: 200 acres burned, rest planned Tuesday)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- If conditions remain favorable, the Deschutes National Forest plans to continue on Tuesday a 501-acre prescribed burning operation that it began Monday on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District southeast of Bend.
Firefighters plan to continue prescribed burning operations on the Flank 1 Prescribed Burn 15 miles southeast of Bend on the west side of Forest Service Road 18 just north of the FSR 18 and FSR 25 junction and the Camp II OHV Staging Area.
Firefighters completed 200 acres of ignitions Monday and will finish the remaining 301 acres Tuesday, if conditions are favorable, forest officials said, noting that it's is the final prescribed burning unit within the Flank Burn Plan area.
Ignitions are planned around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and will be visible from Highway 20 and portions of Bend.
Trail closures are in place for the Opine OHV Trails System for Trail #020, #022, and #025. Closures will remain in place for multiple days while mop-up and patrol operations continue after the prescribed burn is complete. Firefighters will reopen trails once conditions have been assessed and are determined safe for the public.
These operations are designed to manage forest health and protect nearby homes from potential wildfires.
These closures will remain in place for multiple days. They will be lifted once mop-up and patrol operations are complete and firefighters have assessed the trails as safe for public use.
Prescribed burns serve an important role in protecting homes from tragic wildfires, officials say. Fire management officials collaborate with smoke specialists from the Oregon Department of Forestry to plan these operations effectively.
During and after the burn, smoke may settle in low-lying areas during overnight and early morning hours. Residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to mitigate smoke impacts.
Utilizing a portable air cleaner is recommended if available, ensuring it runs with doors and windows closed. A do-it-yourself air cleaner can also be created. For homes with central air systems, residents should use them to filter air, ideally with high-efficiency filters.
Drivers in smoky areas are advised to slow down, turn on their headlights, and set their vehicle's air system to recirculating mode. Individuals with heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions should monitor their symptoms and contact a health care professional if their condition worsens.
For more information on smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon, residents can visit centraloregonfire.org. Additional smoke preparedness resources are available at centraloregonfire.org/protect-your-health.
The Forest Service says firefighters will reopen the affected trails in the Opine OHV Trails System once conditions have been thoroughly assessed and deemed safe for the public.
