On Tuesday, April 15, Sisters Ranger District firefighters plan to conduct up to 60 acres of prescribed burning three miles southeast of Sisters along Forest Service Road 4606 and Peterson Ridge Road.
Ignitions are slated to begin around 11 a.m. Smoke will be visible from Sisters, Highway 20 and 126, and the surrounding area. Residents in Cloverdale and Plainview are encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to minimize smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are most likely overnight and in the early morning hours.
Recreators are encouraged to avoid Peterson Horse Tie Trail while prescribed burning operations are active due to smoke impacts. Smoke impacts are possible across Highway 20 overnight and in the early morning hours. No road or trail closures are anticipated.
Firefighters implement understory prescribed burning to reduce wildfire risk to communities. Prescribed burning reintroduces and maintains fire within our fire-dependent ecosystem by removing concentrations of vegetation and restoring forest health while increasing public and firefighter safety.
- All residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to avoid smoke impacts.
- If available, use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best running with doors and windows closed. You can also create a DIY air cleaner.
- If you have a central air system, use it to filter air. Use high-efficiency filters if possible.
- When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating.
- If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, pay attention to how you feel and if symptoms of heart or lung disease worsen, consider contacting your health care professional.
- Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon and visit When Smoke is in the Air for more smoke preparedness resources.