Deschutes National Forest conducting pile burning near Kiwa Butte, NW of Sunriver

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Deschutes National Forest is conducting 150 acres of pile burning operations Tuesday, seven miles northwest of Sunriver near Kiwa Butte.

Firefighters implement pile burning to reduce leftover vegetation generated from active forest management such as timber sales and pre-commercial thinning treatments. The piles are concentrations of leftover materials associated with vegetation management activities being done to help maintain and restore forest and ecosystem health while reducing hazardous fuels loading.

Piles may smolder, burn, and produce smoke for several days after ignition. Once ignited, firefighters monitor piles until they declare the piles out. Please do not report ignitions. While smoke may linger in the area, removing these large accumulations of woody debris during the winter months minimizes fire danger.

Pile burning operations are carefully planned and implemented under specific conditions. Firefighters work with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Department of Forestry smoke forecasters to identify conditions that will minimize smoke impacts on people and communities.

While prescribed burn officials take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after ignitions. Most smoke impacts occur during the night and early morning hours.