Deschutes National Forest firefighters started spring prescribed burning in mid-April. The Deschutes National Forest may accomplish up to an estimated 11,000 acres of prescribed burning, including up to an estimated 7,000 acres on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District, 1,271 acres on the Crescent Ranger District and 2,942 acres on the Sisters Ranger District.

Prescribed burns are slated for the following areas:

• Sunriver: east of Sunriver on the west and east sides of Highway 97 near the South Century Drive interchange and along the south side of South Century Drive leading into Sunriver from Highway 97. Please maps available at https://centraloregonfire.org on specific locations.

• Bend: West of Bend adjacent to the Cascade Lakes Highway, Forest Service Road (FSR) 41 and the Deschutes River; and southeast of Bend near the FSR 18 and 25 junction and on the northern portions of Pine Mountain,

• La Pine: Northeast of La Pine along the north and south sides of Paulina Lake Road; east of La Pine near Fox Butte; and southeast of La Pine adjacent to Highway 31,

• Crescent: South of the Two Rivers subdivision and west of Highway 97; south of Crescent, east and west of Highway 97 and north of Highway 58,

• Sisters: North of Sisters on the east and west sides of Highway 20 just south of Indian Ford Campground; within the Metolius Basin including along the eastern side of Forest Service Road 14 and just north of the Camp Sherman on the eastern side of FSR 14; and generally west of Sisters.

While prescribed fire managers take significant preventive measures, it’s likely that communities may experience some smoke during or immediately after a prescribed burn. Most smoke impacts occur during the night and early morning hours.

For more information on prescribed burning and smoke preparedness in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest visit www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Visit centraloregonfire.org/prescribed-fire-smoke-plans/ to view an interactive map with planned burn locations. Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 to receive prescribed burn and wildfire text alerts. Follow along on X/Twitter @CentralORFire.

Protect yourself from smoke

Public Health suggests people take the following steps to avoid breathing problems or other symptoms when smoke is present from prescribed burns or wildfires:

·    The number one recommendation for everyone is to limit your exposure to wildfire smoke. Older adults, young children, and people with heart or lung conditions are more sensitive to smoke.

·    During prescribed burn season, be sure to close your windows at night, as highest concentrations of smoke tend to occur overnight and during the early morning hours.

·    Check the current air quality for your area at www.fire.airnow.gov/. Avoid areas with highest smoke levels (AQI 150+).

·    Avoid strenuous outdoor activity when smoke is heavy. Use the air quality index to decide whether outside activities are safe for you and your family: https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/.

·    Stay indoors with windows and doors closed when smoke is heaviest. Use a filter in your heating and cooling system that removes fine particles.

·    Building a box fan filter is an affordable and effective way to keep indoor air clean: https://vimeo.com/454191902.

·    Visit www.211info.org to see when and where cleaner indoor air spaces are available to the public.

·    Try to avoid driving in smoky areas. If you need to drive in these areas, keep your windows rolled up and vents closed. Set the air conditioning on “re-circulate.” This will avoid bringing smoke into your car.

·    If you must be outside in heavy smoke, consider wearing a NIOSH-approved, N95 mask.

·    For more information about how to protect your health from smoke, visit: https://centraloregonfire.org/protect-your-health/