The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The U.S. Forest Service is gearing up for prescribed burn season in Sisters.

If there is no precipitation early this week, Sisters area residents can expect to see smoke from prescribed burning as early as Wednesday, March 17, and on other days, weather permitting, through the month of May.

Prescribed fires are ignited by specialists under specific conditions of temperature, humidity and wind.

They burn a small distance before reaching control lines or previously burned areas. Fires are ignited with drip torches.

The treatment areas, designated several years ago, are the same project areas identified by land managers to reduce risk from wildfire in urban communities.

The project areas are "Canal" located south east of Sisters, "Underline" surrounding Crossroads and Tollgate subdivisions and the Highway 20 treatment area along Highway 20 between Sisters and Road 14 to Camp Sherman.

According to fire specialist Jinny Pitman, "the Forest Service apologizes in advance for any smoke impacts to the public. Fire specialists will attempt to minimize smoke impacts by working with the National Weather Service for optimal timing before striking the match."

For more information call 549-7700.