If conditions are favorable on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, fire managers with the Ochoco National Forest plan to conduct prescribed burning operations in the Maury’s 2 burn unit.
The burn unit is approximately 3,330 acres, located along Forest Service Road 16, about 16 miles southeast of Prineville and three miles south of Post, Oregon. Ignitions are expected begin at 9 a.m. and may take up to two days depending on weather, fuel, and smoke dispersion conditions.
Smoke may be visible from surrounding areas including Post, Paulina, Prineville, Redmond, and Bend. Residents along Highway 380, Forest Service Road 16, and nearby roads should expect possible smoke impacts, especially overnight and early mornings.
Firefighters implement understory prescribed burning to reduce wildfire risk to communities. Prescribed burning reintroduces and maintains fire within our fire-dependent ecosystem by removing concentrations of vegetation and restoring forest health while increasing public and firefighter safety.
Firefighters from the Ochoco National Forest will conduct the burn. Crews may use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to assist with ignition and holding operations. After ignition, engine crews will stay on site to secure the perimeter and conduct patrols; smoke may linger for several days.
What does this mean for you?
- During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight and in the early morning hours.
- All residents are encouraged to close doors and windows at night to avoid smoke impacts.
- If available, use a portable air cleaner. Air cleaners work best running with doors and windows closed. You can also create a DIY air cleaner.
- If you have a central air system, use it to filter air. Use high-efficiency filters if possible.
- When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down, turn on headlights and turn air to recirculating.
- If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, pay attention to how you feel and if symptoms of heart or lung disease worsen, consider contacting your health care professional.
- Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon and visit When Smoke is in the Air for more smoke preparedness resources.
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
