Ochoco National Forest plans prescribed burn in Maury Mountains and over a month of pile burning around the forest
KTVZ
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — If conditions are favorable on Wednesday, fire managers with the Ochoco National Forest plan to conduct more than 3,300 acres of prescribed burning operations in the Maury Mountains’ 2 burn unit.
The burn unit is approximately 3,330 acres, located along Forest Service Road 16, about 16 miles southeast of Prineville and three miles south of Post. Ignitions are expected begin at 9 a.m. and may take up to two days depending on weather, fuel, and smoke dispersion conditions, according to a pair of news releases issued Monday that continue below:
Smoke may be visible from surrounding areas, including Post, Paulina, Prineville, Redmond, and Bend. Residents along Highway 380, Forest Service Road 16, and nearby roads should expect possible smoke impacts, especially overnight and early mornings.
Firefighters implement understory prescribed burning to reduce wildfire risk to communities. Prescribed burning reintroduces and maintains fire within our fire-dependent ecosystem by removing concentrations of vegetation and restoring forest health while increasing public and firefighter safety.
Firefighters from the Ochoco National Forest will conduct the burn. Crews may use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to assist with ignition and holding operations. After ignition, engine crews will stay on site to secure the perimeter and conduct patrols; smoke may linger for several days.
Meanwhile, the forest also planned to begin pile-burning operations Monday, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through November 28, 2025 as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.Pile burning planned in the following areas:
Forest Service land south of Big Summit Prairie
2024 Crazy Creek Fire area
2024 Rail Ridge Fire area
2024 Wiley Flat Fire area
Those areas may close to the public for several days for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns. Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns.
What does this mean for you?
During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight and in the early morning hours.
All residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to avoid smoke impacts.
If available, use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best running with doors and windows closed. You can also create a DIY air cleaner.
If you have a central air system, use it to filter air. Use high-efficiency filters if possible.
When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating.
If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, pay attention to how you feel and if symptoms of heart or lung disease worsen, consider contacting your health care professional.
Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon and visit When Smoke is in the Air for more smoke preparedness resources.
For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Ochoco National Forest visit fs.usda.gov/r06/ochoco. Follow us on X/Twitter @CentralORFire. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.