Residents in Jefferson County and the Warm Springs corridor should be prepared for occasional smoke over the coming weeks as the Deschutes National Forest continues its fall prescribed burn season — one of the most important tools land managers use to reduce the risk of destructive wildfires next summer.

Forest Service firefighters have been conducting understory burns since late September, targeting areas across Central Oregon that accumulated dry vegetation over a busy fire season. Earlier this month, crews ignited up to 332 acres near Wanoga Butte — six miles northwest of Sunriver — as part of the Junction 6 Prescribed Burn unit on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District.

Why the Burns Matter

Prescribed fire is widely considered one of the most effective tools for preventing larger, more destructive wildfires. By clearing accumulated fuels from the forest floor under controlled conditions, land managers reduce the intensity of future fires and improve overall forest health.

This fall, the Deschutes National Forest has plans to burn up to 5,886 acres across Central Oregon — covering areas near Bend, Sisters, La Pine, Crescent, and Sunriver. Operations are weather-dependent: crews need specific windows of wind speed, direction, humidity, and temperature to ensure smoke disperses safely and fire stays within planned boundaries.

What Jefferson County Residents Should Know

When winds shift from their typical westerly pattern, smoke from burns in the Deschutes National Forest can drift northward through the Sisters corridor and into the Jefferson County and Warm Springs area. Residents who are sensitive to smoke — including those with asthma, COPD, heart conditions, or other respiratory concerns — should monitor air quality daily during active burn periods.

  • Check current air quality at airnow.gov or download the free AirNow app
  • Sign up for prescribed burn notifications at centraloregonfire.org
  • Keep windows and doors closed on smoky days; use recirculated air in vehicles
  • Use HEPA air purifiers indoors if available
  • N95 or KN95 masks provide meaningful protection during elevated smoke events outdoors

Looking Ahead

October generally brings more moderate fire weather to Central Oregon compared to the peak summer months, and burn restrictions on the Deschutes National Forest have been relaxed from their high-season levels. However, the National Interagency Fire Center notes that Pacific weather patterns — including brief offshore wind events — can still create windows of elevated fire danger through late fall.

For the latest prescribed burn updates and smoke forecasts, visit centraloregonfire.org or follow @CentralOregonFire on social media.