For Release: April 28, 2021
Smoke will likely be visible from Camp Sherman and higher elevations along U.S. Highway 20
Camp Sherman, Ore — Fuel specialists will implement a prescribed burn on Thursday and Friday north of Camp Sherman along Forest Service Road (FSR) 1420.
Specialists will underburn approximately 228 acres three miles north of Camp Sherman. The treatments will be conducted adjacent to FSR 1420. Operations will begin at 9:00 a.m. on both days. Smoke is likely to be visible from U.S. Highway 20 in the Camp Sherman area and other high points surrounding the community of Sisters during operations.
The objective of this prescribed burn is to reduce fuel loadings in the wildland-urban interface and restore native ponderosa pine forests as part of the Metolius Basin Forest Management Project.
The public can find an interactive map of prescribed burns as well as air quality information at this link: https://www.centraloregonfire.org/wildfire-smoke-air-quality-maps-2/ If the public wants to sign up for text alerts about prescribed fires and wildfires they should text COFIRE to 888-777.
The public is encouraged to close their windows at night and if smoke is on the roadway, turn on headlights and slow down while traveling through smoky areas. 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
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