BEND, Ore. — Firefighters with the Deschutes National Forest could begin fall prescribed burning as early as Tuesday, Sept. 29, if weather and vegetation conditions are favorable.

Forest officials said as many as an estimated 5,886 acres could be treated across the Deschutes National Forest this fall. The largest share — up to an estimated 4,375 acres — is planned within the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District. Another 1,230 acres could be treated in the Crescent Ranger District and 281 acres in the Sisters Ranger District.

One of the potential burn areas is about 13 miles southeast of Bend on the northern portions of Pine Mountain.

Other prescribed burns could take place near Crescent, La Pine, Sisters and Sunriver. Potential locations include areas near Highway 58 and the Three Trails OHV System near Crescent; Finley Butte and Quartz Mountain near La Pine; several locations west and northwest of Sisters; and areas near Anne’s Butte, Pistol Butte and Wanoga Butte west of Sunriver.

The prescribed burns are intended to reduce concentrations of vegetation that can contribute to wildfire risk while restoring fire to the region’s fire-dependent ecosystem. Firefighters monitor and patrol treated areas after ignition until the burns are declared out.

Prescribed burning is generally conducted during the spring and fall when temperature, wind, humidity and vegetation moisture meet specific requirements.

Fire managers also coordinate with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Department of Forestry smoke forecasters in an effort to limit smoke impacts on nearby communities.

Despite those precautions, residents may notice smoke during or immediately following prescribed burns. According to forest officials, smoke impacts are most likely during nighttime and early morning hours.

The timing and location of individual burns will depend on conditions at the time of ignition.