Forest Service to Ignite Prescribed Burn near Shaver Lake

Forest Service to Ignite Prescribed Burn near Shaver Lake
Contact: Sue Exline (559) 297-0706 ext 4804

For immediate release.

Clovis, CA (June 6, 2010)...Beginning Tuesday, June 8th, the Sierra National Forest will ignite a 411 acre prescribed burn near Blue Canyon and Barns Mountain, 30 miles east of Fresno. Smoke from the burn may visible from many local communities including the Shaver Lake area around Bretz Mill and Sierra Cedar subdivisions, the upper portions of the four-lane on State Highway168, Burrough Valley and the San Joaquin Valley.

The objective of the prescribed burn is to restore, enhance and sustain a healthy forest ecosystem. Specific objectives include reducing the threat of wildfires to the community of Shaver Lake, reduce overgrown forest vegetation, improve wildlife habitat, maintain plant species traditionally used by Native Americans, and reintroduce fire as a component of a healthy ecosystem.

The prescribed fire will be ignited when conditions are optimal including favorable weather and air quality. Forest Service firefighting resources supporting the effort include two engines, a 20-person hot shot crew, two dozers and two helicopters.

The Forest Service is using the best available control measures and fire resources to reduce smoke impacts on local residences. By burning during cooler and wetter times of the year, these burns are less intense, easier to control and produce significantly less smoke than a wildfire during the summer months. Signs will be posted for safety and information on roadways entering areas where burning is taking place.

For more information about these projects or questions on prescribed burning, contact District Fuels Officer Tomas Gonzalez or Carolyn Ballard and Assistant Fuels Officer Denise Austin at the High Sierra Ranger Station in Prather at (559) 855-5355.

I'm glad they didn't wait until August for this one.