Public can tour Wizard Fire area

The Sisters Ranger District is offering a public tour of the Wizard Fire on Saturday, October 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A bus will pick up passengers at the Sisters Ranger Station in Sisters at 8:30 a.m. and at the Allingham Guard Station in Camp Sherman at 9 a.m.

According to the Forest Service, the purpose of the tour is to share the story of the prescribed burn in the Metolius Research Natural Area that became the Wizard Fire in late September. District Ranger Bill Anthony will lead the tour with Forest Service staff.

The fire started on September 24 as a 31-acre prescribed burn in the Metolius Research Natural Area. The one-hour burn went well. However, the next day it escaped control lines during the patrol phase and burned north and east up Green Ridge.

The prescribed burn unit has been burned three times before over the last 20 years as part of a long-term study to understand the role of fire in ponderosa pine forests and the effects on forest ecosystems of burning in different seasons of the year.

A review of the incident is underway. Results of the review will be made public when it is completed. The Forest Service has 60 days in which to complete a review. The review period started at the beginning of October.

Participants on the tour should be prepared for some short-distance walking into fire areas. Wearing long pants, sturdy footwear and appropriate clothing for the weather. The tour will proceed, rain or shine.

There is no cost for the tour. Participants are asked to call Sandy Sharp at the Sisters Ranger District office at 549-7700 by October 21 to reserve a seat on the bus. Seats on the bus will be provided on a first-call basis. People will need a seat on the bus to participate in the tour. Office hours at the ranger station are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Provide your name and phone number, the number of people in your group, and whether you prefer to ride the bus from Sisters or Camp Sherman. If you need directions to the Sisters Ranger Station or Allingham Guard Station, call the Sisters Ranger District office.