Spring is a great time to get smoke ready.

Prescribed burning is underway, and can bring smoky air to us in Central Oregon. While prescribed burns are a critical tool to protect the community, they can cause smoke impacts which may reduce air quality and can be harmful to health. This spring, there is a pilot project focused on increasing the pace and scale of prescribed burns on Deschutes National Forest west of Bend. If conditions allow, this may result in greater smoke impacts than we are accustomed to.

Whether it comes from prescribed burning, wildfire, or another source like campfires, smoke is harmful to health. Deschutes County Public Health wants us to know that our best option is to limit our exposure to smoke. Some people may have worse symptoms from smoke, including older adults, people with health conditions, and children. Stay informed about when and where prescribed burns are happening in Central Oregon and how to protect your health here and by visiting CentralOregonFire.org.