Deschutes National Forest
1001 SW Emkay Drive
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 383-5300
Ochoco National Forest
3160 N.E. 3rd Street
Prineville, OR 97754
(541) 416-6500
Crooked River National Grassland
813 S.W. Hwy. 97
Madras, OR 97741
(541) 475-9272
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Frequently Asked Questions
Fire
- What is a prescribed fire? A prescribed
fire is any fire intentionally ignited to meet specific land management
objectives such as reduction of flammable fuels on the forest
floor, or to help restore ecosystem health. Prescribed fires are
preplanned ignitions, with predetermined boundaries. They are
conducted only under certain weather conditions during periods
of low wind when flames length and heat can be controlled. Land
managers must obtain approval of prescribed fire plans from applicable
federal or state agencies before conducting planned burns. In
addition, all applicable requirements under the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) must be met on federal lands. Before federal
land management activities such as trail building, timber harvesting,
use of fire are conducted, NEPA requires that the environmental
impacts of these activities be analyzed to access their impacts
on cultural resources, wetlands, soil, water quality, air quality,
visibility and other resources.
- What about the smoke from fires? Fire
managers must carefully coordinate with State and County agencies
responsible for smoke management. Fuel consumption, the emissions
produced, trajectory and dispersion can be estimated using computer
models. Like weather, smoke management is not an exact science.
If air quality levels deteriorate to a point specified by law
or other guidelines, fire managers can decide to take appropriate
management actions to suppress the fire.
- What does the Industrial Precaution Level mean? It
is the rating of what industrial activities can take place on
the forest taking into account the dryness of the fuels, weather
conditions, and other variables.
Try this link for additional information.
- What does Fire Danger Ratings mean? The
fire danger rating gives the general fire danger in terms of low,
moderate, high and extreme danger. Fire danger ratings are shown
on signs around the forest. Try
this link for additional information.
- How do I get Smokey Bear to appear at an event? You
contact a district office of the forest and ask to speak to fire
prevention personnel.
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