Fire managers on the Crooked River National Grassland have scheduled a controlled burn Tuesday, just south of Madras.

Central Oregon Fire Management Service said in a press release Friday that the plan involves burning about 537 acres of downed juniper trees in what firefighters call jackpot burning. The process involves high concentrations of thinning or naturally-occurring wood debris that has fallen. Once ignited, firefighters will monitor the burns until they declare the fire out.

The juniper burning will lower the risk of wildfire in the area by removing hazardous debris while also improving the winter landscape for big game animals.

The burning is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. if weather conditions allow and could continue for as many as two days. Motorists traveling on U.S. Highway 26 can expect to see smoke throughout the week and are cautioned to slow down and turn on headlights if the smoke drifts across the road.

There are no expected delays.

For more information contact the Central Oregon Fire Management Service at 541-316-7711 or online at http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com/.