Foresters ignite burn west of Sisters

A plume of smoke rises from a controlled burn that was set Thursday afternoon, September 30. photo by Jim Cornelius

A plume of smoke rose into the air west of Sisters Thursday afternoon, September 30, when federal and state prescribed fire specialists burned 39 acres off Highway 242.

The burn was designed to get rid of accumulations of wood debris that could feed wildland fires.

The area lies on the Deschutes National Forest, adjacent to the Cold Springs Campground.

Fire specialists did not expect large amounts of smoke to blow onto Highway 242. Motorists are asked to turn on headlights and reduce speeds if smoke drifts onto the roadway.

National Weather Service forecasts on Thursday showed good smoke dispersal and lift for the area, according to Jinny Pitman, fire prevention technician for the Sisters Ranger District. Some smoke might settle with cool air in low areas Thursday night and Friday morning.

Nearby residents can keep smoke out of structures by closing doors and windows.

Firefighters will patrol the burned area for several days to ensure the fire does not cross containment lines.

Thursday's burn is part of three project areas involving a series of strategic treatments near Sisters intended to reduce hazardous fuels that could feed wildland fires spreading from the Deschutes National Forest into residential areas.

The burn lies within the Underline Project area, where fire specialists planned treatments to protect Sisters, and subdivisions such as Crossroads and Tollgate from fires that might approach from the west.

The treatments have included controlled burning, chainsaw thinning, mechanical mowing and hand piling of wood debris.