Posted Thursday, March 26, 2020
Due to the seriousness of COVID-19’s impact locally and in our region, the Deschutes National Forest has suspended all prescribed burning until further notice.
This decision to temporarily postpone ignitions will prevent any effects from smoke that might further worsen conditions for those who are at risk in our community while reducing exposure for employees who might not otherwise need to travel and creating social distancing for resources working on a fire.
Forest restoration treatments like selective logging, mowing and prescribed burning will continue to be crucial to restoring the conditions our forests need to thrive – but now is not the right time. The health and safety of our residents is our top priority.
Your fellow community members and local forest professionals are hard at work (from home), adapting our plans to reflect the current needs of the region, planning for what may come next, striving to find common ground and coming together to learn about the best available science to restore our public lands to a more natural state.
When we are ready, as a region and an organization, we will resume our vital work to do what is best for our fire-adapted forests and for our forest-adapted communities.
Be well.
Your friends at the Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project.
