[Prineville, Ore.] The Oregon Department of Forestry is considering shifting the current Central Oregon District Boundary in Jefferson County near Lake Billy Chinook. District managers have coordinated with partner agencies to review the existing boundary and developed the proposed boundary location based on risk of wildfire and existing fuel factors. Relocation of the existing boundary will reduce the area of the current protection boundary and will match-up with landowners who are paying for wildfire protection through the Forest Patrol Assessment process. Much of the area being removed from the Protection District is in agricultural production. Affected landowners will have the opportunity to talk with Central Oregon District personnel regarding the location of the boundary on February 28, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at Lake Chinook Fire and Rescue, 11700 SW Graham Road, Culver, Oregon.
The boundary shift is intended to better align ODF wildfire protection where vegetation, fire history, and existing infrastructure pose a threat to forestland. ODF will continue to provide mutual aid resources to its partners, including Lake Chinook Rural Fire Protection District, Crooked River Ranch, Jefferson County Rural Fire Department, Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service.
A public hearing to provide testimony regarding the boundary change will be held at 1:00 p.m., March 19, 2018 at Redmond City Hall, 411 SW 9th Street, Redmond, Oregon. This testimony will be reviewed prior to final changes being presented to the Oregon Board of Forestry for adoption.
The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to Gordon Foster, 541-447-5658.
Questions regarding the meeting can be directed to Gordon Foster, Prineville-Sisters Unit Forester, 541-447-5658