News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
A prescribed burn near the Tollgate subdivision may begin as soon as this week.
The Underline Management Project will include disposal of natural fuels and ground slash, according to Mark Rapp, fuels specialist for the Sisters Ranger District, Deschutes National Forest.
Originally the Forest Service planned to harvest the larger trees and thin smaller ones and then do the prescribed burning.
That has changed, with the goal now to "thin the forest by killing smaller size trees. The area will become more open because of reduction in density of shrubs and small trees," according to Shimamoto's letter. "This type of stand condition is very desirable for the health of a ponderosa pine forest."
During the actual burning, Tollgate residents will see some fairly large flames from burning brush which could climb into the trees for short durations.
After the fire has moved through, logs and snag may shoot small flames for a couple of days, with pine needles and cones on the forest floor continuing to smolder.
The two primary concerns about the project are the potential for the fire to escape and smoke management.
The smoke "will have an impact on the Tollgate area," according to Shimamoto's letter, with cold air at night pushing the smoke down close to the ground "until warmer air mixes in up in the early morning hours."
The Forest Service will use current weather forecasts and state smoke management guidelines to reduce smoke impact as much as possible.
As far as the potential for escape, which has occurred in prescribed burns near Sisters, "the use of prescribed fire near developed areas is always done with the greatest precautions," according to the Forest Service.
Anyone with questions may call Mark Rapp at the Sisters Ranger District at 549-2111.
Reader Comments(0)