Sisters Ranger District begins hazardous fuels reduction project near Sisters Cow Camp

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Sisters Ranger District is implementing about 213 acres of mastication operations within the Sisters Area Fuels Reduction Project Area, including 74 acres just south of Sisters Cow Camp and adjacent to the Metolius-Windigo Trail approximately two and a half miles southwest of Sisters.

Contractors started work this week and will continue as soil moisture and snow conditions allow. This work is anticipated to occur over the next two months, but may take longer, based on weather conditions.

No trail or road closures are anticipated; however, the Forest Service asks the public to be aware of this work and avoid recreating in the area when mowing is occurring. “Mowing Ahead” signs will be placed in the vicinity when contractors are actively working.

Mastication involves reducing the size of forest vegetation and downed material by grinding, shredding, chunking or chopping material.

Mastication operations in the SAFR Project Area reduce understory brush and small trees, decreasing the risk for high-severity wildfire adjacent to Sisters.

The mastication operations return the landscape to a historic vegetation density, which supports the application of low-intensity fire through planned prescribed burning. Reducing vegetation loading through mastication and prescribed burning increases firefighters’ opportunities for success at keeping wildfires in this area small protecting the community of Sisters, officials said.

This work is occurring within the Central Oregon Landscape, one of 21 focal landscapes identified within the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy. The implementation of this work supports the Deschutes National Forest’s commitment to addressing the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to reduce severity of wildfires, protect communities, and improve the health and resiliency of fire-dependent forests.

For further questions, contact the Sisters Ranger District at (541) 549-7700.