Firefighters on the Deschutes National Forest plan to conduct prescribed burns on the Bend-Fort Rock and Sisters Ranger Districts on Monday, April 26, if conditions allow.
The prescribed burns are intended to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health. Fire officials said ignitions will begin at 9:30 a.m. near Sisters, covering up to 171 acres along the south side of Forest Service Road 15, across from the Crossroads subdivision. This effort is designed to connect with previous burn units to create a holding feature for future wildfire control.
No road or trail closures are expected in this area, but drivers along Forest Service Road 15 are asked to slow down and use caution due to fire personnel working nearby and possible smoke impacts. Smoke may also affect Edgington Road and other local roads. Residents in nearby subdivisions such as Crossroads and Tollgate, as well as those in Sisters itself, are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed during periods of heavy smoke—especially overnight or early morning when smoke tends to settle.
On the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District, up to 145 acres will be burned at Thor 8 Prescribed Burn unit six miles northeast of La Pine near McKay Crossing Campground. Ignitions here will start at approximately 10:30 a.m., with smoke visible from Highway 97, La Pine, and Sunriver. The Peter Skene Ogden Trail between Ogden Group Camp and Ten Mile SnoPark will be closed during operations for up to a week while firefighters ensure safety before reopening.
Officials say prescribed burns help protect homes by reducing hazardous fuels around communities. Burns are coordinated with Oregon Department of Forestry smoke specialists so that weather conditions move smoke away from populated areas when possible; however, some short-term impacts remain likely during or after operations.
Residents throughout affected areas are advised to close doors and windows at night, use air cleaners if available, set central air systems on recirculate with high-efficiency filters where possible, drive carefully through smoky zones using headlights with vents set on recirculation mode, and monitor their health if they have respiratory or heart conditions. More information about prescribed burning can be found at centraloregonfire.org.
