Firefighters on the Deschutes National Forest are planning prescribed burning ignitions on Friday, April 23, if weather conditions allow. The operations will take place across all three ranger districts: Sisters, Bend-Fort Rock, and Crescent.
The planned burns aim to reduce wildfire risk by managing vegetation and creating fire-safe corridors near communities and major highways. Fire officials said these efforts are part of ongoing strategies to protect homes and infrastructure from future wildfires.
On the Sisters Ranger District, crews plan to ignite up to 100 acres west of Highway 20 along Cold Springs Cutoff Road. This burn will connect with previous units to establish a corridor where firefighters can more effectively stop potential wildfires. Ignitions are scheduled for 10 a.m., with no anticipated road or trail closures; however, drivers in the area should be cautious due to smoke impacts and possible pilot car operations for safety.
In the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District, up to 363 acres will be treated in the Yoda 3/4/5 Prescribed Burn units located south of Bend as part of the Cabin Butte Vegetation Management Project. Ignitions here are set for 11 a.m., with residents in Bend and Sunriver advised that smoke is most likely overnight or early morning hours. Nighttime smoke could also affect Highway 97.
The Crescent Ranger District plans up to 80 acres of burning near the junction of Highways 58 and 97 at Sting units #17 and #18. Trail closures for Off-Highway Vehicle Trails #13 and #39 will remain in effect until post-burn assessments determine they are safe for public use.
Officials encourage residents near Black Butte Ranch, Tollgate subdivision, Sisters, Two Rivers subdivision, Bend, and Sunriver to keep doors and windows closed during overnight hours when smoke impacts may be greatest. “Prescribed burns can protect homes from tragic wildfires,” fire management officials said in their statement. They added that burns are coordinated with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists so that weather conditions help move smoke away from communities.
