If conditions remain favorable, fuels specialists on the Ochoco National Forest plan to conduct a 704-acre prescribed burn Thursday, May 16th along the northern and western borders of Big Summit Prairie.
Ignitions are scheduled for two burn units, HEJ 8 and 14. HEJ 8 is located adjacent to Forest Service Road (FSR) 22, while HEJ 14 is adjacent to FSR 42. Ignitions will take place simultaneously on both units and are planned for 11:00 am. Ignitions are expected to last one day but may extend to a second day if necessary.
Smoke columns will be visible from Redmond, Prineville, and Madras, and may be visible from Bend. Smoke impact is likely on FSR 42 and FSR 22; however, no road closures or delays are anticipated. The public is asked to use caution where fire traffic and firefighters are present. Signage will be in place and drivers are asked to slow down and turn on headlights.
Once ignited, the burn will be monitored by firefighters until it is declared out.
Burning in these units is designed to reintroduce fire into a fire-adapted ecosystem, reduce hazardous fuels, reinvigorate grasses, and improve wildlife habitat. By reintroducing fire to the landscape under controlled conditions, the prescribed burn will help mitigate the risk of uncontrolled wildfires, protect valuable natural resources, and promote a more resilient forest ecosystem.
For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Ochoco National Forest visit www.fs.usda.gov/ochoco. Follow us on X/Twitter @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.