TEXT “COFIRE” TO 888-777 TO RECEIVE WILDFIRE & PRESCRIBED FIRE TEXT ALERTS

Pile burning to continue for the next several weeks

Contact: Jean Nelson-Dean, Public Affairs Officer, Deschutes National Forest, 458-231-1242

Date: January 5, 2021                         

Central Oregon- Beginning tomorrow and continuing over the next several weeks, firefighters on the Deschutes National Forest plan to ignite several burn piles  west of Sunriver and La Pine. Burning will occur during mid-week, primarily on Wednesdays.

As conditions remain favorable, firefighters will begin igniting hand piles at the following locations:

All units will take advantage of good smoke dispersion and winter-like conditions.  If smoke drifts on to roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care.  Once ignited, units are monitored by firefighters until they are declared out.

Piles may smolder, burn, and produce smoke for several days after ignition.  While smoke may linger in the area, there is a real benefit to burning this type of vegetation. The piles are concentrations of leftover materials associated with previous vegetation management activities intended to remove hazardous fuels that can burn during summer wildfires. 

The public’s health is important to the Forest Service. While significant preventive measures are taken, many factors influence a person’s susceptibility to smoke, including severity and duration of smoke exposure and a person’s health. If individuals feel impacted by smoke, they should avoid outdoor physical exertion and remain indoors. If people experience serious health impacts from the smoke, they should contact their doctor. For more information about smoke and health, visit the Oregon Health Authority recommendations through this link: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Preparedness/Prepare/Pages/PrepareForWildfire.aspx#health

Fuels specialists will follow policies outlined in the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan, which governs smoke from prescribed fires (including pile burning) and works to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.

For more information, visit the Deschutes website at www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes and follow us on twitter @CentralORFire. 

###
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender

Share this Post

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
central oregon fire information wildfire smoke

Never Miss An Update

Get More Alerts