Mariposa – Mariposa County in cooperation with Sierra Foothills Conservancy, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, and the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians in continuation of the next step in the Mariposa Creek Parkway Restoration Project, Mariposa County Planning Department has organized the second phase of a prescribed burn taking place from February 1st-28th to coincide with the open burning season.
The purpose of the prescribed burn is the eradication of invasive plant species from the Mariposa Creek corridor that have crowded out endemic species. The goal of this project is to create a healthy riparian habitat for essential California species to reclaim.
The prescribed burn will occur on county-owned parcels along the Mariposa Creek corridor generally between 6th Street and Joe Howard Street. Activities will be concentrated to the southwest of Jessie Street and north of Stroming Road, in the current and future Mariposa Creek Parkway.
The type of burning that will occur is pile burning. The piles will consist of Himalayan blackberry vines that were cut and piled from November 17th to November 29th by work crews from the California Conservation Corps and Calaveras Healthy Impact Product Solutions, with support from CAL FIRE and Mariposa County Fire.
The following day is scheduled if current weather conditions remain stable and resources are available:
February 11th: Pile burning will take place between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM as soon as conditions allow and will continue until piles have been consumed or dusk. Though the fuel type and burning activities are not expected to produce significant smoke, there is a possibility that smoke could affect roadway conditions. There are no plans for slowing traffic or lane closures unless for an emergency.
Please be aware of possible smoke in the town of Mariposa on these dates and burning debris piles along the creek. This is a control burn so please do not report if you are in the project area.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mikey Goralnik, Community Design and Development Planner for Mariposa County, at mgoralnik@mariposacounty.org.
