Black Butte Ranch Fire Department

04/28/2026

SEASONAL BURNING CLOSURE: SUNSET, APRIL 30, 2026:

The NW Fire agencies consisting of Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, Black Butte Ranch Fire District, and Cloverdale Fire District announce the seasonal end of debris burning at sunset on April 30, 2026. Starting May 1, debris burning will be closed for fire season. Outdoor debris burning within the city limits of Sisters is closed year-round.

Residents and visitors can contact their local fire protection agencies for additional burning information and regulations. Additional restrictions on campfires may be implemented during the hottest parts of summer to help further reduce the risk of fire. Please call your local fire agency for more information, or visit each District’s website. Black Butte Ranch Rural Fire Protection District: 541-595-2288 (www.bbrfire-or.gov), Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District: 541-389-2345 (cloverdalefire.com), Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District: 541-549-0771 (www.sistersfire.com).

As a reminder for everyone living in Central Oregon, be sure your home has good defensible space around it to help protect your home from the threat of wildfire. More information about creating defensible space and preparing for the upcoming fire season can be found via the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s website at https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/wildfire/pages/defensiblespace.aspx

Please be advised that regulations may vary between fire protection jurisdictions. Please contact your local, state or federal fire agency for specific requirements and closures

04/27/2026

PRESCRIBED BURN 4/28/26 (TUESDAY):
The Sisters Ranger District plans to implement a prescribed fire on up to 366 acres 3 miles southwest of Sisters along the FS 1513 road on Tuesday, April 28th. The legal location is: Township 14 S, Range 9 E, Sections 24 & 25. Operations will begin as early as 09:30 AM, and will continue until ignitions are complete, or conditions become unfavorable.

This treatment is part of the Sisters Area Fuels Reduction project and is intended to reduce hazardous fuels in the wildland-urban interface and return forest stands to historic conditions by reintroducing fire on the landscape. Central Oregon’s forests are adapted to frequent low-intensity fires.

What does this mean for you?
• During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight.
• All residents are encouraged to close windows at night to avoid smoke impacts.
• When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down and turn on headlights.
• If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, ask your doctor about how to protect yourself from smoke.
• Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon.

Please see trailing map

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest visit www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Follow us on

Twitter . Text “COFIRE” to 888777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.

04/27/2026

PRESCRIBED BURN: The Sisters Ranger District plans to implement a prescribed fire 2 miles West of Sisters on 04/27/26. The prescribed burn will be 171 acres and the legal location is: Township 15, Range 09, Section 12 , near the intersection of the 15 and 1505 roads. Operations will begin as early as 09:00 AM, and will continue until ignitions are complete, or conditions become unfavorable.

This treatment is part of the Sisters Area Fuels Reduction Project and is intended to reduce hazardous fuels in the wildland-urban interface and return forest stands to historic conditions by reintroducing fire on the landscape. Central Oregon’s forests are adapted to frequent low-intensity fires.

What does this mean for you?
• During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight
• All residents are encouraged to close windows at night to avoid smoke impacts
• When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down and turn on headlights
• If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, ask your doctor about how to protect yourself from smoke
• Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for information specific to the Deschutes National Forest visit www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Follow us on

Twitter . Text “COFIRE” to 888777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.

04/24/2026

PRESCRIBED BURN: The Sisters Ranger District plans to implement a 100 acre prescribed fire at the junction of the Cold Springs Rd. and Highway 20 on 04/24/26. The legal location is: Township 14, Range 09, Section 24. Operations will begin as early as 09:00 AM, and will continue until ignitions are complete, or conditions become unfavorable.

This treatment is part of the Highway 20 Vegetation Management Project and is intended to reduce hazardous fuels in the wildland-urban interface and return forest stands to historic conditions by reintroducing fire on the landscape. Central Oregon’s forests are adapted to frequent low-intensity fires.

What does this mean for you?

• During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight.
• All residents are encouraged to close windows at night to avoid smoke impacts
• When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down and turn on headlights
• If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, ask your doctor about
how to protect yourself from smoke
• Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for

information specific to the Deschutes National Forest visit www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Follow us on

Twitter . Text “COFIRE” to 888777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.

04/16/2026

Save the Date:

04/11/2026

Each year, we have the honor and privilege of recognizing our staff for their dedication and service to Black Butte Ranch RFPD.

This year, the following individuals were recognized:
EMT of the Year ~ FF-EMT Will Oliver
Resident Volunteer of the Year ~ FF-EMT Madison Jones
Firefighter of the Year ~ FF-P Grace Schuhmann

In addition, a newly added Unit Citation Award was presented to Chief Jason Ellison, Captain Ryan Ahrendt, FF-P Matt Linker, and FF-EMT Tony Lochner for their efforts on the Flat Fire in August 2026.

While we recognize only a few individuals this evening, we are grateful for the commitment, professionalism, and service that is demonstrated by all of our staff.

04/08/2026

The Sisters Ranger District plans to implement a prescribed fire on up to 63 acres West of Smiling River CG near the Metolius River on Wednesday, 04/08/26. The legal location is: Township 13, Range 9, Section 3. Operations will begin as early as 09:00 AM, and will continue until ignitions are complete or conditions become unfavorable.

This treatment is part of the Metolius Basin Forest Management Project and is intended to reduce hazardous fuels in the wildland-urban interface and return forest stands to historic conditions by reintroducing fire on the landscape. Central Oregon’s forests are adapted to frequent low-intensity fires. These prescribed burn units are strategically located in places that could be used to stop a potential wildfire in the future.

What does this mean for you?

• During prescribed burns, smoke may settle in low-lying areas overnight.

• All residents are encouraged to close windows at night to avoid smoke impacts

• When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down and turn on headlights

• If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, ask your doctor about

how to protect yourself from smoke

• Go to centraloregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and prescribed burning in Central Oregon

For more information on prescribed burning in Central Oregon, visit centraloregonfire.org/ and for

information specific to the Deschutes National Forest visit www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes. Follow us on

Twitter . Text “COFIRE” to 888777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.

03/12/2026

03/11/2026

02/03/2026

https://www.nuggetnews.com/story/2026/02/04/news/bbr-fire-marks-change-of-command/38668.html

In an emotional ceremony held at The Lodge at Black Butte Ranch, Chief Dan Tucker handed over command to a new Fire Chief, Jason Ellison. Chief Ellison kept the spotlight firmly on Chief Tucker, who is stepping away from his post after a distinguished career of nearly four decades. Ellison described...