Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Crooked River National Grassland

Local Area News Releases

The Central Oregon Office of Communications serves the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Prineville District of the BLM.

News Releases are organized by year and new ones are added as soon as possible after release.

2009

Central Oregon Fire News - Includes news releases on Wildland Fire Use on the Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests

Wildland Fire Use (WFU)

• Wildland Fire Use - information on Wildland Fire Use on the Ochoco National Forest
• Fire Use - national page

January

• Applications Available for Natural Resource Project Proposals (1/9/09)

2008

December

• Roadside Hazard Tree Project Proposals Invite Public Comment - 12/19 -PRINEVILLE-Two roadside hazardous tree projects are proposed for timbered areas on the Ochoco National Forest that were burned by the Bridge and Black Canyon fires this past summer.

  • Map for Bridge Creek Roadside Hazard Tree Project
  • Map for Black Canyon Roadside Hazard Tree Project (updated 12/30/2008)

• Prineville BLM Begins Pile Burning in La Pine Area Today - 12/16 - La Pine, Ore . - Prineville District Bureau of Land Management fire specialists started a multiple-day pile burning project near La Pine today.

• BLM Thinning and Fuels Reduction in LaPine Basin to Begin this Winter - 12/12 - LaPine— The Prineville District BLM will begin work on two projects to thin the forest and reduce hazardous fuels in the La Pine Basin this winter, and continue in phases over the next two years.

• Natural History Snowshoe Tours at Mt. Bachelor - 12/5 - BEND – The Forest Service, Mt. Bachelor Ski Area and Discover Your Northwest will soon begin the annual program of free natural history snowshoe tours at the ski resort’s West Village.

• The Fishing is Good at Crescent Lake—in December! 12/5 - Crescent Lake—Reports from the field are that the fishing is good at Crescent Lake! With no snow yet at the lake, Road 60 around the lake is still open for access.

• Escaped Prescribed Fire Review Released - 12/3 - Bend—The review of the prescribed burn (“Metolius Research Natural Area—Unit 61”) that escaped control lines and became the “Wizard Fire” in late September is now completed and available to the public. Wizard Fire - Metolius Research Natural Area Unit 61 - Escaped Prescribed Fire Review AND Wizard Fire - Newsletter

November

• Some Roads Still Open Until Snow Closures -BEND - 11/26 —Due to low or no snow accumulation, winter road closures that are normally established near sno-parks along Highway 46 and Road 45 will be delayed until the snow closes them.

• Sisters Area Fuels Reduction Project Decision Notice Signed -11/24 -SISTERS - On November 19, 2008 Deschutes National Forest Supervisor John Allen signed a Decision Notice to treat 17,573 acres in the Greater Sisters Country Wildland Urban Interface.

• Forest Service Christmas Tree Permits Available November 17th - 11/14 - BEND—Retail outlets and Forest Service offices throughout Central Oregon will begin selling permits to harvest Christmas trees from the Ochoco and Deschutes National Forests on Monday November 17th.

• Deschutes National Forest Holiday Hours - 11/14 - Bend — The Deschutes National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Bend and Ranger District Offices in Bend , Sisters and Crescent will be open through the holidays except for the federal holidays themselves.

• Bridge Creek Fire - Review - Lessons Learned - Prineville— On August 7, 2008, thunderstorm activity ignited twenty-five fires in the Ochoco National Forest.

• OCHOCO NATIONAL FOREST HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURES - 11/7

• Citizens Sought for Deschutes/Ochoco National Forest Resource Advisory Committee -11/7 - The Forest Service is seeking people from communities throughout Central Oregon and locally elected officials or special interest group representatives as nominees for the Central Oregon Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). Application forms must be received at the Ochoco National Forest office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 21st.

• Sisters Ranger District Fall Pile Burning to Begin Soon - SISTERS, OR— With the recent moisture, the Sisters Ranger District is preparing to begin fall pile burning activities. Pile burning is part of a series of strategic treatments intended to restore fire’s natural role in forested ecotypes and to minimize the potential for wildland fires to spread from national forest lands to private property.

October

• Recreation Fees Waived on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 - PORTLAND , OR – The public may visit federal recreation sites for free on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11.

• OCHOCO NATIONAL FOREST SHIFTS GEARS ON PROPOSED OHV TRAIL SYSTEM - PRINEVILLE-Forest Supervisor Jeff Walter recently announced a change in location for a proposed off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail system on the Ochoco National Forest.

• Public Health Advisory Lifted For Wickiup Reservoir - A health advisory prompted by high algae levels found in Wickiup Reservoir was lifted today by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), the Deschutes National Forest and the Deschutes County Health Department.

• Horse Found in Deschutes National Forest - Help Needed to Find Owner - Deschutes National Forest —An Arabian bay gelding, approximately six years old, was reported by hunters and located in the Deschutes National Forest by Law Enforcement Officer Fred Perl late Friday, October 17 th.

• Federal Recreation Advisory Committee To Meet in Portland Oct. 30, 31 - PORTLAND – A regional federal recreation advisory committee will hear approximately 43 proposals to change user fees on eight national forests when it meets in Portland October 30-31, 2008.

• Road Construction Activities in the Maury Mountains - LOOKOUT MT. RANGER DISTRICT -Road construction activities associated with the Tack Timber Sale recently started on several Ochoco National Forest roads that are located on the east side of the Maury Mountains (Paulina Ranger District).

• Prescribed Burn West of La Pine - LA PINE—Fuels specialists from the Deschutes National Forest will be conducting a 107-acre burn starting today. The project is located two miles north of the Fall River Guard Station, ten miles west of La Pine and south of Round Mountain.
• FALL SEASON CONTROLLED BURNS – OCHOCO NATIONAL FOREST & PRINEVILLE BLM - Prineville -It’s time for another round of fall season controlled burn ignitions on the Ochoco National Forest and the Prineville Bureau of Land Management. The objective of these burns is to reduce the amount of hazardous fuels on public lands.

• Wizard Fire Public Tour October 25th - SISTERS —The Sisters Ranger District is offering a public tour of the Wizard Fire on Saturday, October 25 th from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A bus will pick up passengers at the Sisters Ranger Station in Sisters at 8:30 a.m. and at the Allingham Guard Station in Camp Sherman at 9:00 a.m.

• Wizard Fire Closure Reduced - SISTERS—The closure area pursuant to the Wizard Fire on the Sisters Ranger District is now substantially reduced. Forest Road 14 and the road to Green Ridge Lookout are now open. Pioneer Ford and Allen Springs Campgrounds are also now open.

• PUBLIC USE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED ON EASTERN PORTION OF PRINEVILLE DISTRICT BLM; INDUSTRIAL FIRE PRECAUTION LEVEL 1 ACROSS CENTRAL OREGON; SOME RESTRICTIONS REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR RIVER CORRIDORS - CENTRAL OREGON – Recent precipitation and the return to fall weather conditions has prompted the lifting of public use restrictions on Prineville BLM lands in Grant County, and within the John Day River corridor, as well as adjusting the Industrial Fire Precaution to a Level 1 on the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest and the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management administered lands. Public use restrictions remain in effect on the Crooked, Deschutes and White Rivers and Lake Billy Chinook through October 15, 2008.

• Construction Work Ongoing at Lava Lands Visitor Center - Lava Lands Visitor Center - Construction activity is underway to repair the old water system at Lava Lands Visitor Center.

• FALL SEASON CONTROLLED BURNS – OCHOCO NATIONAL FOREST & PRINEVILLE BLM - PRINEVILLE-It’s time for another round of fall season controlled burn ignitions on the Ochoco National Forest and the Prineville Bureau of Land Management. The objective of these burns is to reduce the amount of hazardous fuels on public lands.

• Public health advisory issued for Wickiup Reservoir - A health advisory prompted by high algae levels found in Wickiup Reservoir was issued today by the Deschutes National Forest , the Deschutes County Health Department, and the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS).

• New Fees Proposed at Deschutes National Forest Recreation Sites - BEND – The Deschutes National Forest proposes new recreation fees for several sites on the Crescent and Bend-Fort Rock Ranger Districts.

September

• Public Health Advisory Lifted For Wickiup Reservoir - A health advisory prompted by high algae levels found in Wickiup Reservoir was lifted today by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), the Deschutes National
  Forest and the Deschutes County Health Department.

• Controlled Burn Planned Near Sisters, Oregon - SISTERS —Deschutes National Forest fuel specialists, in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Forestry, are planning (weather dependant) two controlled burns near Sisters, Ore between September 24 and 26, 2008.

• Court Ruling on Five Buttes Project - Bend—The Deschutes National Forest received news today of the District Court ruling filed yesterday on the lawsuit regarding the Crescent Ranger District Five Buttes Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

• Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway Ten-Year Anniversary Celebration - Bend—Join us in fun celebration of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway! This splendid route along the Cascade Lakes of Oregon has been a National Scenic Byway for ten years now. This national designation was made possible by many partners and the support of local communities.

  • Flyer - Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway Ten-Year Anniversary Celebration

• Public health advisory issued for Wickiup Reservoir - A health advisory prompted by high algae levels found in Wickiup Reservoir was issued today by the Deschutes National Forest , the Deschutes County Health Department, and the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS).

• Some Campgrounds Still Open at Crescent and Odell Lakes - Crescent Ranger District--Just as fall is in the air, so are changes in operations and services at Crescent and Odell Lake campgrounds in the Deschutes National Forest. Decreases in use at campgrounds have prompted closure of some campgrounds and reduced services at others.

• Volunteer for Your National Forest Friends of the Forest ® Day Deschutes National Forest - Are you willing to make a difference? Do you want to improve your outdoor experience and access to the outdoors for others? Come join other volunteers working to improve trails and viewing sites on the Deschutes National Forest on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• MATSUTAKE MUSHROOM SEASON OPENED ON NATIONAL FOREST LANDS- Klamath Falls, Ore. – The 2008 picking season for Matsutake mushrooms opened on the Deschutes, Fremont-Winema, Umpqua and Willamette national forests in Oregon. The season runs from September 2 thru November 2.

• Controlled Burn Scheduled For Juniper Canyon - PRINEVILLE—Prineville Bureau of Land Management (BLM) fuels specialists is planning a 760-acre controlled burn on public lands near Prineville along southeast Remington Road in Juniper Canyon.

• Shane Jeffries New Bend Fort Rock District Ranger - Bend—Shane Jeffries will be the new District Ranger for the Bend Fort Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest beginning September 29 th.

• New Deputy Named for the Deschutes National Forest - BEND –Mary Farnsworth will be the new Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Deschutes National Forest beginning September 15 th.

August

• OCHOCO NATIONAL FOREST CLOSURE STATUS & CAMPFIRE SAFETY - PRINEVILLE-The Ochoco National Forest has had two area and road closure orders in place due to the Black Canyon and Bridge Creek Fires, since August 15, 2008 and August 17, 2008, respectively. Hunters and other forest visitors have been eager to access the areas for camping and other recreational activities. Forest officials have been reviewing the continued need for the closures for public safety purposes on a daily basis.

• MALHEUR NATIONAL FOREST - PUBLIC USE RESTRICTIONS MODIFIED TO ALLOW FIREWOOD CUTTING ON THE MALHEURNATIONAL FOREST - John Day, OR - Cooler temperatures have reduced, though not eliminated, the risk of wildland fire, announced Rob Batten, Deputy Fire Management Officer. As a result of the cooler temperatures Public Use Restrictions have been modified...

• Lava Lands Visitor Center to Close for Season September 14th - BEND – Lava Lands Visitor Center will close for the season September 14 th so that contractors can begin improvements to the water system at the site. The interpretive programs at Mt. Bachelor will end after the Labor Day weekend

• Forest Service Road 40 Opens - BEND – Forest Service (FS) Road 40 will be open for traffic Thursday morning, August 28th.

• South Bend Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project Environmental Assessment Available for 30-Day Objection Period - Bend—The Environmental Assessment (EA) for the South Bend Hazardous Fuels Project is released for a 30-day Objection Period beginning August 27, 2008. This project was designed under the authority of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, and was developed through a collaborative process with at-risk (of wildfires) communities, organizations, individuals and other agencies.

• “Fire Transfer” Affects Work on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests - Bend—Forest Supervisors John Allen and Jeff Walter are making some tough decisions about the Forest work that will not be accomplished as planned this fiscal year, due to the “fire transfer” of funds to aid national wildland fire suppression efforts.

• Parking Lot Expansion Begins Soon at Meissner Snow Park - BEND –Construction to expand the parking lot at Virginia Meissner Snow Park will begin September 2nd.

• Two Wickiup Reservoir Boat Ramps Will Close for Reconstruction September 2nd - BEND —Boaters will be unable to access the boat launch at Wickiup Reservoir Gullpoint Campground and the North Wickiup Boat Launch from September 2 nd to November 30 th.

• Wildland Fire Use Applied in the Three Sisters Wilderness, DeschutesNational Forest - BEND, OR – A “holdover” start from the lightning storm that passed through Central Oregon last week, currently a 3/10-acre fire located on the southwest side of Broken Top and on the Deschutes National Forest, has been identified as another candidate for Wildland Fire Use (WFU) implementation in Central Oregon.

• Wildland Fire Use in Ochoco Wildernesses - PRINEVILLE—With multiple fires naturally ignited by lightning last week, there is now opportunity to use the “Wildland Fire Use” (WFU) tool in three wildernesses of the Ochoco National Forest.

• Public Health Advisory Issued for Odell Lake - A health advisory prompted by extremely high algae levels found in Odell Lake was issued today by the Deschutes National Forest , the Klamath County Health Department, and the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS).

• Snow Project Aims to Improve Public and Firefighter Safety - Bend —The Snow Fuels Reduction and Vegetation Management Project decision was signed by Deschutes National Forest Supervisor John Allen and published today. Located along the popular recreational area of Cascade Lakes Highway from Elk Lake to Crane Prairie Reservoir, this project would reduce fuels and manage vegetation to improve visitor and firefighter safety.

• FS Road 1260 Closed for Reconstruction and Culvert Replacement - Sisters—Forest Service road 1260 at Roaring Creek on the Sisters Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest is temporarily closed until early September due to ongoing road reconstruction and culvert replacement.

July

• Skeleton Cave Opens July 27 and August 31 - BEND -- Skeleton Cave will be open to the public this Sunday, July 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Entrance to the cave will be monitored by Wanderlust Tours and Deschutes National Forest employees. The cave will be open free of charge, and people can explore the cave on their own.

• Hoodoo Recreation Services Selected for Campground Concession Permit on the Deschutes National Forest - BEND –The Deschutes National Forest has selected Hoodoo Recreation Services as the permittee to operate and maintain eighty-two campgrounds across all three ranger districts beginning January 2009.

• Eastern Portions of the Prineville District BLM Area Raises Industrial Fire Precaution to Level III and Public Use Restrictions Go Into Effect - John Day , OR - The continuing dry weather and high fire danger has prompted land managers for the Malheur National Forest and the east side portion of the Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management to raise the Industrial Fire Precaution Level to “IFPL III”, and to restrict the activities that could cause a fire. The fire restrictions will be in effect beginning at 12:01 am , on Wednesday morning, July 23 until further notice.

• The Oregon National Guard plans to activate more than 300 Guard members to attend Firefighter II certification training at three sites in Oregon - Oregon National Guard - The weeklong training begins July 27 and provides additional trained resources for the fire season in Oregon.

• Industrial Fire Precaution Level II on Public Lands - CENTRAL OREGON—As the weather heats up and fire danger increases, fire restrictions are being implemented on public lands in Central Oregon. “Industrial Fire Precaution Level-II” restrictions went into effect on Tuesday, July 15 for the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management. Many refer to the regulations as "partial hootowl" because chainsaw, cable yarding, blasting, welding and metal-cutting operations can only occur from 8 p.m. to 1 p.m. The regulations affect both commercial and personal use firewood cutters, and industrial operators.

• Mount Bachelor Summer Interpretive Programs Available - BEND – The Deschutes National Forest , in partnership with Mt. Bachelor , is now offering its annual summer interpretive program. Join a U.S. Forest Service ranger at Pine Marten Lodge to learn more about the origins of the Cascade Mountain Range and its unique plants and animals. The thirty-minute program will take advantage of the spectacular views at 7,800 feet elevation. Programs occur daily at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Topics cover volcanoes, geology, ecology, and cultural history of the region.

• Danger Tree Removal Begins Today on Highway 242 - Sisters–Danger tree removal operations began in the Deschutes National Forest west of Sisters along Highway 242. In cooperation with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the road will be closed for approximately five miles between the snow gate and Lava Camp while
  operations occur.

• Newberry National Volcanic Monument & Lava Lands Visitor Center Open Seven Days a Week for Summer Season - BEND – On Wednesday July second, Newberry National Volcanic Monument recreation sites will open for 7 days a week service.

• ToddLake Trailhead Inaccessible due to Washout - BEND – Due to heavy runoff from snowmelt in the Todd Lake Basin , the parking area for the Todd Lake Trailhead is inaccessible due to a washout of the access road.

June

• Newberry National Volcanic Monument & Lava Lands Visitor Center Open for Seven Days a Week for Summer Season - BEND – On Wednesday July second, Newberry National Volcanic Monument recreation sites will open for 7 days a week service.

• OCHOCO NATIONAL FOREST ANNOUNCES YEAR-ROUND CLOSURE IN MCKAY CREEK WATERSHED -PRINEVILLE- Forest Supervisor Jeff Walter recently signed a year-round closure order excluding motorized vehicles (including ATVs, 4WDs and snow machines) in the McKay Creek watershed of the Ochoco National Forest. The closure was effective as of June 26, 2008. The McKay watershed area includes the McKay Creek drainage, a popular area in close proximity to the community of Prineville.

  • Press release with photos
  • Exhibit A Map
  • Signed Closure Order: page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4

• Deschutes National Forest Celebrates 100th Birthday - Bend—Join us in celebrating this centennial year of your Deschutes National Forest! The Deschutes was officially declared a National Forest by President Theodore Roosevelt on July 1, 1908.

• Newsletter with photos

• Elk Lake Loop Road Temporarily Closed - BEND – The Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest will temporarily close the back side of the Elk Lake Loop Road and Sunset View Day Use Area on Wednesday, June 25th due to the exceptional number of roadside danger trees in the area.

• Sisters Ranger District Administrative Site to be Auctioned for Sale - Bend -- The Sisters Ranger District administrative site in downtown Sisters will go up for auction on Monday June 23, 2008 . The sale will include 62.5 acres in two parcels sold as one piece. All of the property is National Forest System land inside the Urban Growth Boundary of Sisters, Oregon.

• PAULINA RANGER DISTRICT SOUTHSIDE ALLOTMENTS PROJECT OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT - PRINEVILLE—The Paulina Ranger District recently completed a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Southside Allotments Project. The project is located in the southeastern portion of the Ochoco National Forest in Grant, Crook and Wheeler counties.

• Wild land Firefighter Training “Guard School” June 16 – 20, Live Fire Training Exercises Scheduled June 19 and June 27th on Deschutes National Forest Near Sisters. SISTERS—Approximately 71 new firefighters with the Oregon Department of Forestry, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Portland Water Bureau will engage in classroom and field training from June 16-20 at Sisters Middle School in Sisters, OR.

• Wild Mustangs - Polishing the Diamond. July 19-20th Adoption week-end. Clinics and shows on Saturday, Adoption on Sunday.

• Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland Host Public Meeting on Recreation Site Planning Proposal - PRINEVILLE—The public is invited to attend a presentation and question and answer session regarding a proposal for future recreation facility management on the Ochoco National Forest and the Crooked River National Grassland.

• Free Fishing in Sunriver this Saturday - SUNRIVER—The public is invited to a free fishing clinic in Sunriver on Saturday, June 7th, during an event that allows free fishing for one weekend throughout Oregon.

• Free Fishing Clinic Location Changed to Davis Lake - Davis Lake , OR —The Free Fishing Day this Friday June 6 th will now be held at the Lava Flow Campground at Davis Lake , just off the Cascade Lakes Highway.

• PARTNERS ASSIST FOREST SERVICE IN RESTORING AN ASPEN STAND - PRINEVILLE- Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) are perhaps best known for the beautiful hues of yellow and gold that the leaves become during the fall season.

May

• Small Controlled Burn NE of Wickiup Reservoir on Wednesday - La Pine —Deschutes National Forest fuel specialists, in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Forestry, will be finishing up the last 27 acres of a 77-acre controlled burn project that was initiated last week.

• Controlled Burn near Bend Cancelled - CENTRAL OREGON — Deschutes National Forest fuels specialists, after reviewing the latest weather forecasts, made the decision to cancel the prescribed burn located several miles southeast of Bend.

• Controlled Burn Planned Near Crescent - CENTRAL OREGON —Deschutes National Forest fuels specialists, in cooperation with the Walker Range Patrol Association, is planning another 200-acre controlled burn near Crescent on May 13.

• Large Controlled Burn Planned for Tuesday SE Of Bend on the Deschutes National Forest - BEND — A considerable smoke column will be visible from Bend starting around 11 am tomorrow due to a large controlled burn scheduled on the Deschutes National Forest.

• Cecilia Seesholtz Moving On As Forest Supervisor of the Boise National Forest - Bend—Deschutes National Forest Deputy Forest Supervisor Cecilia Romero Seesholtz is stepping up to be the Forest Supervisor of the Boise National Forest in Boise, Idaho. She reports for duty to her new station May 27 th.

• Forest Service to Host Next Series of Open Houses on Motorized Access - Central Oregon —If you care about motor vehicle access in the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River Grassland, you are invited to attend any of several upcoming open houses scheduled in Central Oregon communities.

• Contract Awarded to Steele Associates for Plan and Design of Deschutes NF Supervisor’s Office and Bend Fort-Rock RD - Bend—The contract for planning and design of the new Deschutes National Forest Supervisor’s Office and Bend Fort-Rock Ranger District headquarters was awarded this week to Steele Associates, a Bend architectural firm.

• Paulina Bridge Closed for Replacement - Bend—The Paulina Dam Bridge on Forest Service Road 2100-520 just off County Road 21 in the Deschutes National Forest has been closed to traffic of all kinds. There is a gate across Road 21 closing access to the bridge. This is the bridge near the lower west end of Paulina Lake, the access road to Pauline Lake Resort.

• Parking Lot Reconstruction Begins Monday At North Wickiup Boat Launch - Bend--Major parking area reconstruction will began at North Wickiup Boat Launch on the Deschutes National Forest on Monday, May 12 th, 2008.

• Controlled Burn Scheduled Adjacent to Newberry Estates Subdivision in La Pine - LA PINE—Prineville Bureau of Land Management (BLM) fuels specialists, in cooperation with Deschutes National Forest fuels specialists and local fire protection agencies, is planning a 40-acre controlled burn on public lands in La Pine adjacent to Newberry Estates on Friday, May 9.

  LavaLandsVisitor Center Open for Season Today - BEND – Lava Lands Visitor Center opens to the public today, May 7, 2008 for five days a week from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. It will be open for seven days a week starting July 2nd through September 14th.

• Controlled Burns Planned Near Crescent and Sisters - Central Oregon—Deschutes National Forest fuels specialists, in cooperation with the Walker Range Patrol Association, is planning 200 acres of controlled burns near Crescent for the week of May 5. The burn project is located approximately ten miles south of Crescent and one mile east of Highway 97.

• Controlled Burn Planned Near Wickiup Reservoir - La Pine —Deschutes National Forest fuel specialists, in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Forestry, are planning two controlled burns located approximately three miles NE of Wickiup Reservoir and five miles NW of La Pine. The two controlled burns are 77 and 114 acres in size and are tentatively scheduled for Sunday, May 4 and Monday, May 5, dependent upon weather.

April

• Controlled Burns Planned for Deschutes National Forest - Central Oregon— Deschutes National Forest fuel specialists are planning to conduct several prescribed burns on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District south of Bend during the month of May.

  Controlled Burn Planned Near Highway 20, Sisters - SISTERS — Deschutes National Forest fuel specialists, in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Forestry, are planning a 42-acre controlled burn near Sisters to occur today. The burn project is located approximately three miles northwest of Sisters near the Cascade Meadow Ranch community. Read more...

• Bill Queen Selected as District Ranger for Lookout Mountain - PRINEVILLE-Forest Service officials recently announced Bill Queen (see photo) as the incoming District Ranger for the Lookout Mountain Ranger District of the Ochoco National Forest , vice Art Currier, who retired in January of 2008. Queen will be responsible for managing approximately 378,200 acres of Forest Service-administered lands that include a diversity of natural resource programs and projects. Read more...

• New Reality Show on Your National Forest - DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST - There is a life and death struggle going on right now in the snowy Cascades of your Deschutes National Forest . Eagles are battling the cold to protect their precious eggs. Will they succeed? Will they survive? Live streaming video of bald eagles in the wild is now available via a website from the Forest Service at http://www.fs.fed.us/outdoors/naturewatch/eaglecam.html. 

• Upper Beaver Watershed Project Proposal - PRINEVILLE - A proposed project to manage vegetation within the Upper Beaver watershed is open for public comment through May 16, 2008 . The project area, referred to as the “Upper Beaver Vegetation Management Analysis”, covers a 37,000-acre portion of the Paulina Ranger District on the Ochoco National Forest, approximately 70 air miles east of Prineville and within Crook County. Read more...

• Campground Concession Prospectus Issued for the Deschutes National Forest - BEND –The Deschutes National Forest has issued a Prospectus (solicitation for offers) for
  proposals to provide visitor services at various recreation sites within the Deschutes
  National Forest. The sites will include approximately eighty campgrounds. Read more...

• OchocoNational Forest Hazardous Road Conditions/McKay Creek Closure Remains in Effect Through May 31 - Prineville— Forest Service officials have confirmed that many of the roads on the Ochoco National Forest are impassable at this time due to substantial winter snow accumulation. Some of the roads remain gated while other roads are open, but remain snowpacked, soft or muddy. Read more...

• Boat Launch and Parking Area Construction at Wickiup Reservoir - BEND – Reconstruction of the parking area at North Wickiup Boat Launch is now underway, to be followed by reconstruction of the parking area at Gull Point Campground Boat Launch. The public will have access to both launches, but parking will be limited until the new parking areas are completed. Please expect delays to access the launches. Read more...

• Decision Made to Expand Facilities at Meissner Sno-Park - BEND—Bend Fort-Rock District Ranger Phil Cruz, after careful consideration of many public comments, has issued the decision to expand the parking lot and make some other adjustments at Meissner Sno-Park. Read more...

• Controlled Burns Planned Near Sisters - SISTERS —Deschutes National Forest fuel specialists, in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Forestry, are planning to take advantage of spring weather conditions to conduct a series of controlled burns near Sisters tomorrow. Both burns are designed to reintroduce fire to improve ecological conditions in the ponderosa pine stands around the Sisters area. Read more...

• Invasive Plant Decision Withdrawn - Bend—After review in the Pacific Northwest Regional Office of the Forest Service in Portland, Deschutes National Forest Supervisor John Allen and Ochoco National Forest Supervisor Jeff Walter have withdrawn the Record of Decision (ROD) Part One for Invasive Plant Treatment on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Crooked River National Grassland. The ROD was signed by both Forest Supervisors on December 5, 2007 and the legal notice of the decision was published in the newspaper of record, the Bulletin, on January 4, 2008. Read more...

• Snow Delays Opening of Firewood Areas - Bend—Heavy snow levels will delay the opening of firewood cutting areas on the Deschutes National Forest this year until May 12, 2008. The snowpack in the Cascades is 150% of normal this year, and lingering cold temperatures are holding back the annual melt-off. Read more...

• Unwelcome Hitchhikers on Boats - What You Can Do About It - BEND –If you treasure Central Oregon’s lakes and rivers for boating and fishing outings, come learn how to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. The Oregon State Marine Board is partnering with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Portland State University, and the U.S. Forest Service for a boat cleaning and invasive prevention training for interested community members. Read more...

    

March

• Glaze Forest Restoration Project Environmental Analysis Open for Public Comment 3/21 - SISTERS— The 30-day public comment period opens today for the Environmental Analysis (EA) for the Glaze Forest Restoration Project on the Sisters Ranger District.

• Snow Project Draft Environmental Analysis Open for Public Comment 3/19 -BEND—The 30-day public comment period opens today for the Draft Environmental Analysis (EA) of the Snow Fuels Reduction and Vegetation Management Project of the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District. Read more...

• Youth Conservation Corps Accepting Summer Applications 3/14 - BEND—Youth ranging in age from 16 to 18-years-old can now apply for eight weeks of summer employment with the Central Oregon Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). Read more...

• Salmon and Trout Habitat to be Enhanced in the Metolius River 3/13 - SISTERS – Sisters District Ranger Bill Anthony signed a decision notice to place large wood in the Metolius River to restore salmon and trout habitat. Read more...

• Deschutes National Forest Begins Controlled Burns West of Bend 3/4 - Bend - Deschutes National Forest fuel specialists are planning to conduct a series of controlled burns covering 100-140 acres through the month of March. Read more....

February

• BLM Prepares for Upcoming Oil and Gas Lease Sale
• Cold Springs Rental Cabin-How To Make Reservations 2/6- PRINEVILLE-Cold Springs Cabin, a popular summer cabin rental located on the Ochoco National Forest , may be reserved up to six months ahead of time using an online reservation system located at www.rec.gov or at www.reserveamerica.com . Forest visitors who have rented Cold Springs Cabin (also known as Cold Springs Guard Station) in the past will notice that the reservation policy has changed.
• Environmental Analysis Begins for Travel Management Rule

January