Firefighters on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District conducted their last pile-burning operations Friday adjacent to Highway 97 between Lava Butte north to the High Desert Museum on the west side of the highway.
Firefighters ignited piles and completed that work by late Friday morning, officials said. Smoke and flames may be visible from the Highway 97 corridor, officials said. Signage were in place to alert drivers of pile-burning operations. "This was the last section in that area for pile-burning this winter," Deschutes National Forest Public Affairs Specialist Jaimie said.
Officials advised that the piles may smolder, burn, and produce smoke for several days after ignition. Once ignited, firefighters monitor piles until they are declared out. "Please do not report ignitions," the announcement said.