Burning will continue in Sisters’ forests this week.

On Monday and Tuesday, fuel specialists will conduct prescribed burning operations approximately seven miles south of Sisters adjacent to Road 16 and near Melvin Butte. These burns were planned for last week but were not completed due to weather conditions.

Specialists will underburn approximately 147 acres on two units. Ignitions will begin at 9 a.m. each day. Smoke will be visible from Highway 20 between Sisters and Bend, Highway 126 between Sisters and Redmond, and in the Sisters area.

Motorists should avoid Road 1620 during operations due to smoke impacts and heavy fire traffic.

The objective of this prescribed burn is to reduce the risk of high intensity fire, and to protect public and private property by producing defensible space. The prescribed fire will reduce uncharacteristically high fuel loads improving forest health, sustainability, and resiliency, according to the Forest Service.

The public can find an interactive map of prescribed burns as well as air quality information at: https://www.centraloregonfire.org/wildfire-smoke-air-quality-maps-2/ If the public wants to sign up for text alerts about prescribed fires and wildfires they should text COFIRE to 888-777.

The public is encouraged to close their windows at night and if smoke is on the roadway, turn on headlights and slow down while traveling through smoky areas.