JOHN DAY — Prescribed burns are expected to start this weekend in two areas of the Malheur National Forest, the agency announced.

The Silvies 7 burn is set to begin on about 450 acres on the Emigrant Creek Ranger District, according to Forest Service officials.

Ignitions are planned to begin Saturday, May 18, if weather conditions permit, officials said. This unit is located in the area of Gravel Ridge and Forest Roads 3110 and 3120. Firefighters will continue to monitor the area for several days after completion.

In addition, contractors will be carrying out prescribed burning in the Upper Pine F unit on about 1,065 acres on the Emigrant Creek Ranger District. Ignitions for this operation are planned to begin Friday, May 17, though the date is also dependent on weather conditions, officials said. This unit is in the area of Craft Cabin and Forest Roads 2850 and 2855.

People may see and smell smoke throughout the operations and are encouraged to use caution around the area, officials said.

Each prescribed burn is designed to accomplish specific objectives related to increasing forest health.

“They reduce hazardous fuels,” said Malheur National Forest spokesperson Amy Franklin.

Prescribed burns will be conducted only under appropriate conditions, including correct temperatures, wind, fuel moisture and smoke weather forecast, to ensure firefighter and public safety, officials said.

Prescribed fire information is available to the public on a tri-forest online map. The map is labeled and color-coded to show each burn unit’s status: planned, active or completed. Additionally, forest users can view other features, including current and past-year burn units, national forest boundaries and state wildlife management boundaries.

Daily updates can be found at https://www.facebook.com/MalheurNationalForest.

For more information on the Malheur National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/malheur or call the supervisor’s office at 541-575-3000.