Firefighters in Central Oregon are set to conduct a controlled training burn south of Bend on Monday. This exercise is part of a wildland fire investigation course designed to enhance firefighters’ skills in wildfire response and investigation.

Training Details

The planned burn will cover approximately seven acres, located about 10 miles south of Bend and three miles south of Bessie Butte. Fire officials have scheduled the burn to begin at 11 a.m., weather permitting. This operation is a key component of the FI-210 Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination course, which prepares participants for roles as wildland fire investigators.

The training provides firefighters with practical experience in various aspects of wildfire scenarios, including investigation techniques, evidence collection, and documentation. Such hands-on training is crucial for effective wildfire management and response.

Community Impact

Residents in the area should be aware that smoke from the burn may be visible from Highway 97 and surrounding areas. However, officials have stated that no trail or road closures are expected as a result of the exercise. Firefighters will remain on-site to patrol and monitor the area until the burn is fully extinguished.

For more information, Central Oregon residents can visit centraloregonfire.org or the Deschutes National Forest website. Additionally, the public is encouraged to follow @CentralORFire on X or text “COFIRE” to 888-777 for updates on wildfire and prescribed fire alerts.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.