Published 2:59 pm Thursday, April 23, 2026 Firefighters plan to ignite prescribed burns Friday across all three ranger districts of the Deschutes National Forest, weather permitting, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce wildfire risk in Central Oregon. On the Sisters Ranger District, crews aim to burn up to 100 acres west of U.S. Highway 20 along Cold Springs Cutoff Road. Ignitions are scheduled for 10 a.m. No closures are expected, but drivers may encounter smoke and firefighting activity near the roadway. Farther south, the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District plans to ignite up to 363 acres about 11 miles south of Bend near Lava Butte as part of the Cabin Butte Vegetation Management Project. Smoke could affect Bend and Sunriver overnight and into early morning, with possible impacts to visibility along U.S. Highway 97. On the Crescent Ranger District, firefighters plan to treat up to 80 acres near the junction of highways 58 and 97.…