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Updated: 2:30 p.m. Tuesday June 13

On Wednesday (June 14) firefighters plan to resume prescribed burning operations five miles northeast of La Pine along Paulina Lake Road (Forest Service Road 21) near Six Mile SnoPark. Up to 83 acres could be burned, with ignitions starting at 9:00 a.m. Smoke will be visible from Highway 97, La Pine and Sunriver.

Prescribed burns created slightly elevated levels of air pollution in parts of Bend and Sunriver on Tuesday (June 13) morning, according to data from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. In southwest Bend, the Air Quality Index, or AQI, reached 77 at 5 a.m., and in Sunriver the AQI topped out at 93 at 6 a.m.

Update: 1:30 p.m. Monday June 12

The prescribed burn planned to be held tomorrow (June 13) west of Bend has been canceled. The 173-acre burn was canceled because forecasted weather and winds have changed and are no longer favorable for a prescribed burn. 

Update: 9 a.m. Monday, June 12

Firefighters are planning to resume prescribed burning operations five miles northeast of La Pine along Paulina Lake Road (Forest Road 21) near Six Mile SnoPark. If conditions are favorable, firefighters will ignite up to 173 acres starting at 9:30 a.m. Smoke will be visible from U.S. Highway 97, La Pine, and Sunriver.

Intermittent smoke impacts are possible for Paulina Lake Road. No road or trail closures are anticipated. 

Another 173-acre burn is planned for areas west of Bend on Tuesday (June 13). That burn will take place northwest of the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station, one mile west of Bend. Ignitions are planned to start at 10 a.m. Smoke will be visible from Bend and surrounding areas. Tetherow and Widgi Creek could be most affected by smoke. Residents are encouraged to keep windows closed to minimize impacts.

Update: 1:45 p.m. Thursday, June 8

The prescribed burn that was scheduled to take place five miles northeast of La Pine today, June 8, has been canceled, according to an alert from Central Oregon Fire Info. The 173-acre burn was called off due to “unfavorable conditions,” according to the agency. 

Update: 10 p.m. Wednesday, June 7

The prescribed burn taking place this week five miles northeast of La Pine along Paulina Lake Road (Forest Service Road 21) near Six Mile SnoPark is planned to continue on Thursday, June 8.

If conditions are favorable, firefighters will ignite up to 173 acres on Thursday. Ignitions are slated to begin at 9:30 a.m. Intermittent smoke impacts are expected along Paulina Lake Road, and smoke will be visible from nearby communities, including Sunriver and La Pine. 

Update 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 7

Firefighters on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District are continuing prescribed burning operations five miles northeast of La Pine along Paulina Lake Road (Forest Service Road 21) near Six Mile SnoPark. Crews expect to ignite up to 84 acres Wednesday, June 7. Smoke will be visible from U.S. Highway 97, La Pine, and Sunriver.

Intermittent smoke impacts are possible for Paulina Lake Road. Flaggers will be stationed on Paulina Lake Road and a pilot car used as needed to escort traffic. Motorists should slow down and use caution if driving in the area and watch for firefighters and firefighting equipment.

No road or trail closures are anticipated. Residents in Newberry Estates subdivision may experience some smoke impacts and should plan to keep windows and doors closed.

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What is AQI?

Air Quality Index levels between 51 and 100 are considered moderate. In this range, air quality is considered to be acceptable, but there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

The DEQ says at these levels “unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.”

What is prescribed burning?

Jaimie Olle, a spokesperson for the Deschutes National Forest, described the prescribed burning as a “critical tool” to reduce vegetation and forest fuels. It involves the burning and removal of forest fuels such as brush and grasses from the forest floor.  Removal of such fuels can prevent the rapid spread of of wildfires later in the fire season. 

“It is also a tool to reduce the risk of catastrophic impacts on the surrounding communities and restore the health of the forests in Central Oregon,” said Olle.

The prescribed burn season runs into June. The burns are being conducted to reduce the likelihood of a catastrophic blaze during the fire season, said Olle.

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