Prescribed Burning Planned on the Ochoco National Forest
Ignitions of two units planned for next week
Prineville Oregon — If conditions remain favorable fire managers on the Ochoco National Forest will be burning two units next week. The burn units are located in the general area west of Ochoco Guard Station going up Duncan Creek and near Walton Lake.
Ignitions planned on the Sisters and Bend-Fort Rock Ranger Districts
Central Oregon –If conditions remain favorable, firefighters will continue with prescribed burning on the Deschutes National Forest over the next few days. Burns are planned on the Sisters and Bend-Fort Rock Ranger Districts.
On Friday, the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District is planning burn operations about 5 miles north of Cabin Lake and 20 miles east of La Pine. This 300 acre unit (MX3B) was previously prescribe burned in 2006 and will help maintain reduced hazardous fuels while also improving deer winter range habitat. The public may see smoke in the Fort Rock area and along Forest Service Road 18.
The Sisters Ranger District is planning a prescribed burn Sunday on two units (Met WUI 8 & 42) totaling 171 acres in the vicinity of Camp Sherman at the junction of Forest Service Roads 1216 and 1419. Traffic flaggers will be in place on Forest Service Road 1419. Smoke from these burns may be visible to those in Camp Sherman. This prescribed burn will help restore ponderosa pine ecosystems by reintroducing low intensity fire, increase the safety of nearby communities by reducing hazardous fuels, and improve wildlife habitat.
With continued cool weather along with more precipitation, the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management, the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland will lower the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) down to Level 1. This change will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, October 6, 2018 on public lands in Central Oregon.
Under IFPL 1, classified as “Closed Season-Fire precaution requirements are in effect” a fire watch/security is required. Individuals with a valid firewood cutting permit can operate any time of day. Firewood cutters should ensure spark arrestors are in good working order and follow all fire precaution measures when cutting in dry fuels.
Officials want to remind the public that using explosive target material, such as Tannerite, explosives, and fireworks continue to be prohibited on all federal lands.
This afternoon crews from Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District responded to a brush fire on Sno Cap Lane at the base of Hinkle Butte north of Sisters Aerial resources responded to this incident as well. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District reports that forward movement on the fire was stopped at about 1.6 acres.
This brush fire is approximately 3 miles away from and not related to the prescribed burn (Unit IFR66) along Indian Ford Road occurring on the Deschutes National Forest today. The prescribed burn is still going to plan and under control. Ignitions are almost complete for the day.
Firefighters postponed most ignitions on the prescribed fire planned (IFF66) near Sisters today. After the test fire and lighting approximately 7 acres in the burn unit, winds shifted becoming a challenge. With constant monitoring during prescribed burns, managers were able to make the decision to stop ignitions at that time. Firefighters were able to secure the area that was burned.
Tomorrow if conditions allow, firefighters will return to that same area to finish the burn unit. The prescribed burn initially planned for Thursday near Camp Sherman (Metolius WUI 18/42) is postponed for now.
Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District is also planning to burn a unit (MX2G) tomorrow about 5 miles north of Hole in the Ground and 22 miles southeast of La Pine.
Ignitions will continue today 11 miles SE of Brothers. Smoke will likely be visible from Hwy 20, Brothers, Hampton & surrounding areas.
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