Weather creates new burn opportunity

An extremely dry fall is now being coupled with a dry winter, a situation that could lead to an early -- and dangerous -- fire season.

In its present condition, the region's bare, frozen ground could pose a problem. Even if spring rains do arrive, the frozen crust could act like a seal on the surface and cause much of the water to be shed without soaking into the dry soil.

Still, fire officials are not ready to sound the alarm.

Instead, the U.S. Forest Service is taking advantage of a bad situation to accomplish some good, in the form of off-season fire control work.

Locally, prescribed burns have resumed -- something that is usually unheard of in January.

"These are opportunities," said Mark Rapp, Assistant Fire Management Officer for the Sisters Ranger District. "We're taking advantage of weather conditions to conduct some small scale prescribed burn activities."

Rapp said that the areas being targeted now were slated for spring burning and will probably be burned again. These "pre-burns," as he called them, will consume only relatively limited quantities of combustible materials. However, elimination of part of the fuel load, now, will reduce the burn intensity and risk later.

"Things are dry enough," he said, "that dead, decadent vegetation and needles draped over shrubs will burn, but the fire won't spread because of the patches of snow. The risk of any fire escape is virtually zero."

So, local residents will be seeing some smoke again, and the Forest Service wants local people to be aware of the cause.

The two areas of highest priority are south of Sisters.

One is in Section 17 near the Patterson Ranch, and the other is about two and half miles southeast of town near the Squaw Creek irrigation canal. Both areas have been at the top of the list for quite some time, and both will probably be burned again in the spring.

While conditions are good for burning, the lack of storm activity has also created air inversions that are not conducive to smoke dispersal.

Rapp says that the Forest Service will watch air conditions and try to minimize smoke in the area.

He also points out that burning now will mean less smoke in the spring.

The Forest Service is in the process of pursuing an aggressive plan to reduce fuel loads in forested areas close to populated areas -- like Sisters. Prescribed burns reduce the risk of uncontrollable wildfires by cleaning out flammable debris on the forest floor.

Prescribed burns also simulate natural fire patterns that promote forest health. Burning not only reduces the danger of wildfire, but helps control undesirable weeds and insect populations, while naturally thinning the forest for optimum tree growth.

"As long as the weather conditions stay dry enough, we'll continue with this low risk burning," Rapp said. "This is an unexpected opportunity."

Another site being considered for a winter burn is along Indian Ford Road near Highway 20. Much of the brush in the area was mowed this past year, as a preliminary step in the fuel control process.

Since a number of homes are in that area, the Forest Service would like to reduce the fire danger there as much as possible.

Winter burning may also be attempted north of road 100, which connects North Pine Street to Highway 20, near the Forest Service offices and housing area.

"We want to alert the community as to what is going on and keep everyone informed," Rapp said.