Prescribed burns planned

Prescribed fire is a tool that is used to mimic the natural role of fire in the environment and to create healthy & resilient forests, decreasing vegetation density and surface fuels that can contribute to fire behavior that can present risks to life, property, and natural resources. Managing fire on the landscape promotes naturally occurring processes that native plants and animals rely upon. It affords the opportunity for new growth to take place by removing dead and dying vegetation.

“Prescribed fire is an important tool used to meet management objectives for ecological restoration, creating habitat for plants and animals and reducing unwanted fuel loading,” said Forest Fire Management Officer, Todd Mack. “Forest employees take prescribed fire very seriously, thus conditions must meet certain criteria, including weather and vegetative factors before implementing a prescribed fire.”

 

The 2022-2023 Prescribed Fire locations can be found here.

 

As part of a forest-wide prescribed burn program, forest fire management staff will be diligent in monitoring local weather and drought conditions for those conditions most favorable to meet prescribed burning objectives. Weather is an essential factor in the planning and implementation of prescribed fires. Wind speed and direction, temperature, relative humidity, and measurable moisture in vegetation are all taken into consideration, especially during a drought, prior to initiating any burning activities. The current drought conditions across Northern California may impact the timing and ability to accomplish the prescribed fire this fall. Over the next several months the public may see or smell smoke in various parts of the forest from prescribed fire activities. These projects may have some short-term impacts on air quality levels; however, the Forest Service will comply with all Local, State and Federal air quality regulations and coordination with local air quality regulators will take place.