Coarsegold- The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), in cooperation with California Highway Patrol, CAL TRANS, Pacific Southwest Research Station / Fresno State University, Private Landowners, and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, aim to reduce large conflagrative fires and high suppression costs, to the citizens of California, by conducting a prescribed burn along the Highway 41 corridor the week of May 24th.
Historically, this stretch of Highway 41 has proven to have more fires annually than anywhere else within the Madera, Mariposa, Merced Unit (MMU).
The prescribed burn encompasses the eastside of Hwy 41 from the Madera canal (Mile Marker 6.95) to Rd 200 (Mile Marker 17.91) in O’Neals. This project will help reduce the fire threat to unincorporated communities around Coarsegold, O’Neals and Hidden Lakes, which are isolated residential areas located along the Highway 41 corridor.
The following days are scheduled if current weather conditions remain stable and resources are available do to fire activity:
May 26th– Rd 200 South / Rocky Cut (M.M 17.91 – M.M 14.035) Burning will take place between 6:30pm till Midnight. Traffic may slow or stop within this section for a minimal amount of time. Smoke and fire activity on cut banks with narrow shoulders along the Highway may affect roadway conditions.
May 27th – 22 Mile House / Hwy 145. (M.M 9.25– M.M 14.035) Burning will take place between 6:30pm till Midnight. There should be little impact on Highway 41 throughout this section due to the large shoulder off Highway 41. This section encompasses from Highway 145 North to the end of the new 4 lanes of Hwy 41. There are no plans for slowing traffic or lane closers unless for an emergency.
Related Story: CAL Fire Burn Permits Required May 1st
Hwy 145 / Madera Canal. (M.M 6.95 – M.M 9.25) There should be little impact on Highway 41 throughout this section due to the large shoulder off Highway 41. This section encompasses from the Canal to Highway 145 There are no plans for slowing traffic or lane closers unless for an emergency.
Until fuel reduction activities are complete, crews will continue to chip brush piles created from pruning and brush removal with no impact to Hwy 41.
Please watch for crews and use caution when driving. There will be smoldering heavier fuels throughout the night with crews monitoring the fire. This is a control burn so please do not report if you are in the project area.
For more information visit Fire.ca.gov
