In the effort to prepare for the coming summer wild fire season, forestry officials have started prescribed burns. On Tuesday a prescribed burn took place near Pine Mountain where between 100 and 400 acres are expected to be burned off Forest Service Road 18 and 25. Approaching May and June, the area faces above average fire activity. Deschutes National Forest public affairs specialist, Jaimie Olle, says a little smoke now from controlled burns means being able to get a better handle on wildfires and in the summer. The prescribed burns are done in coordination with the forestry’s smoke management program to make sure smoke is carried out of communities. Fire season this year is expected earlier due to lower than usual snow water levels this year.