Crews conduct over 270 acres of prescribed burns near Bend, Sisters; residents urged to keep doors, windows closed
KTVZ News Team
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes National Forest firefighters conducted a total of 271 acres of prescribed burns on Monday at two locations near Bend and Sisters, and residents are being urged to keep doors and windows closed to ease smoke impacts.
The Big Eddy Block 1 burn totaled 113 acres a mile southwest of Bend, near the junction of Cascade Lakes Highway and Forest Service Road 41. A pilot car was escorting traffic along Road 41.
Residents in Bend and living south and east of the Deschutes River, including Sunriver, La Pine and Redmond, were urged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts, especially overnight and in the early morning.
Meanwhile, 158 acres initially were planned to be burned on Highway 20 Units 81 and 93 about 3 1/2 miles north of Sisters.
Residents in Sisters, Black Butte Ranch, Tollgate, Crossroads and nearby areas were also urged to keep their doors and windows closed to limit smoke impacts.
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Earlier information:
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – If conditions are favorable on Monday, June 2, the Deschutes National Forest plans to conduct prescribed burn operations on the Bend-Fort Rock and Sisters Ranger Districts.
Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District firefighters plan to conduct up to 215 acres of prescribed burning on Monday approximately one mile southwest of Bend and south of the Cascade Lakes Highway.
Ignitions are planned for 113 acres on Big Eddy Block 1 Prescribed Burn located near the intersection of Cascade Lakes Highway and Forest Service Road (FSR) 41 along the eastern side of FSR 41.
If conditions allow, firefighters will also conduct 102 acres of prescribed burning on Tiddlywinks Block 2 Prescribed Burn on the west side of FSR 41 on Monday. Ignitions are planned for 10 a.m.
The following road and trail closures will be in place:
Road access to Lava Island Day Use & Trailhead
All trails north of Big Eddy Day Use
Northern portion of Catch & Release Trail
Roads and trails will be closed during ignitions and until roadside and trailside hazards are mitigated. The Cascade Lakes Highway and Forest Service Road 41 will remain open. A pilot car will be implemented if smoke limits visibility.
Smoke will be visible from Bend and the surrounding area. Residents in Bend and those south and east of the Deschutes River, including Sunriver, La Pine, and Redmond are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning hours.
Sisters Ranger District firefighters plan to conduct up to 158 acres of ignitions on the Highway 20 Units 81 & 93 Prescribed Burn located approximately three and a half miles north of Sisters, along the north side of Forest Service Road 1012 (Cold Springs Road), and west of Highway 20.
Ignitions are slated to begin around 9 a.m. Smoke will be visible from Sisters, Highway 20, and the surrounding area. Residents in Sisters, Tollgate subdivision, Crossroads, Black Butte Ranch, and the surrounding area are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning hours.
Smoke impacts are also possible across Highway 20 during ignitions, overnight and in the early morning hours. A pilot car operation will be available if needed. No road or trail closures are anticipated.
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