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High Sierra Ranger District Plans Winter Prescribed Fires

PRATHERSierra National Forest (SNF): With the shift in the weather pattern, the High Sierra Ranger District announces desired prescribed burning conditions. This work is a proactive approach to fire and vegetation (fuels) management in the SNF and Sierra Nevada, lessening the impact and intensity of catastrophic wildfire seen during the year, providing healthier resource conditions, and increasing protection to our mountain communities.

SNF Fire managers expect to begin Prescribed Fire ignitions on the weekend of February 3rd-5th. Active ignitions may continue through the weekend and next week as weather, smoke dispersion impacts, and fire consumption conditions allow.

The Forest Service coordinates all burning activities with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and National Weather Service in Hanford to time the project to coincide with favorable weather conditions and smoke dispersion. For information on smoke impacts and how to mitigate exposure, please follow the link provided www.airnow.gov or www.valleyair.org.

Please see the attached maps for general locations. Fire resources will work in Blue Canyon, Hwy 168, and Jose Basin vicinities. The specific areas are being targeted for burning to meet reforestation objectives later in the Spring. Most of the prescribed fire units were partially or fully impacted by the 2020 Creek incident. Winter fine vegetation green up (new grasses) provides favorable conditions to begin prescribed fire ignitions and control activities.

Burning operations will be visible from portions of Highway 168, Auberry Road, Peterson Road, Dinkey Creek Road, and other major roadways throughout the District. Smoke may also be visible from various vantage points in the Foothill and Mountain communities in Fresno County, North Fork and Bass Lake in Madera County, and the greater Fresno/Clovis/Madera region. The \ prescribed fire projects will be patrolled and monitored daily during the project-required multi-day burn phase and while all signs of smoke and heat dissipate.

Information signs are and will be placed strategically in the areas of these projects to inform the visiting public of these operations for public and firefighter safety. For more information on these prescribed fire projects and activity, please get in touch with the High Sierra Ranger District Office at 559-855-5355.

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Sierra News Online

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