Prescribed Fire near Chemult Starts Today

LAKEVIEW, Ore. – A prescribed fire is planned, starting today at noon, in Chemult off of Highway 97 between Klamath Falls and Bend by the Chemult Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest.

Prescribed fire is an important tool used by fire managers to reduce hazardous fuels, improve forest health and increase firefighter and community safety in the event of future wildfires in the area. Prescribed fire is only applied when specific environmental conditions are met and in a manner designed to achieve specific objectives.

The Townsite WUI prescribed fire is planned for approximately 1,000 acres in the vicinity of the town of Chemult. Smoke may be visible for the next few days to traffic driving on Highway 97 through the town. Smoke may disperse slowly due to Chemult being situated in a valley. Extra caution should be paid when driving through the area at night time when reduced visibility may be unexpected.

Residents and visitors are asked to be aware of their surroundings and watch for prescribed fire operations to maintain personal and firefighter safety. Areas where prescribed fire operations are taking place will be well signed and may have increased fire personnel, traffic and smoke in the area.

Each prescribed fire can appear different visually depending on the forest type, fuel load, prescribed fire objectives and how long fire has been absent from the area. This includes wildfires and prescribed fires.

Prescribed fire announcements have been placed locally. SCOFMP Employees are committed to a safe and successful prescribed fire within these designated areas.

For more information, please call the Chemult Ranger District at (541) 365-7001. Or get our most recent updates online at scofmp.org/lifc.shtml, on Facebook at facebook.com/SCOFMPFireInfo and on Twitter at @SCOFMPFireInfo.

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