Prescribed Fire Planned for Klamath Falls Near Highway 140

LAKEVIEW, Ore. – A prescribed fire is planned starting on or about May 8 near Klamath Falls, along Highway 140 west, by the Klamath 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 Raccoon prescribed fire is planned for approximately 316 acres and is located approximately 23 miles northwest of Klamath Falls along Highway 140 near the Odessa area. Smoke may impact visibility along Highway 140 and visitors traveling along the highway are advised to use caution.

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 will be placed locally prior to ignition. SCOFMP employees are committed to a safe and successful prescribed fire within these designated areas.

For more information, please call the Klamath Ranger District at (541) 885-3410. 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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