Fuel specialists with the Deschutes National Forest conducted a prescribed burn northeast of La Pine yesterday to allow for firefighter training. This is the final prescribed burn for this spring on the Deschutes National Forest. Crews burned approximately 20-50 acres along Forest Service Road (FSR) 21, northeast of La Pine and east of U.S. Highway (Hwy) 97. The primary objective was to provide training to incoming firefighters within a controlled environment, but the burn will also help meet ecosystem objectives.
Smoke and residual burning may be visible for up to a week post ignition, but smoke impacts are expected to be minimal to nearby communities.
The public can find an interactive map of prescribed burns as well as air quality information at this link: https://www.centraloregonfire.org/wildfire-smoke-air-quality-maps-2/ If the public wants to sign up for text alerts about prescribed fires and wildfires they should text COFIRE to 888-777.
