Stanislaus National Forest to Conduct Forest-Wide Prescribed Fire Operations

Sonora, Calif., October 16, 2014…The Stanislaus National Forest plans to initiate prescribed fire operations this fall and winter as weather patterns permit – shifting to cooler temperatures and wetter conditions. Forest fire management staff continues to monitor local weather and Forest conditions as part of forest-wide hazardous fuels reduction efforts, and will initiate planned ignitions under the right combination of circumstances.

“As temperatures moderate and humidity levels rise, we can begin safely using prescribed fire in pre-determined situations,” said Forest Fire Management Officer, Chris Schow. “Conditions must meet certain criteria, including weather and vegetation factors before we will implement a prescribed fire or burn piles.”

The Forest Service uses several methods of treatments to reduce the amount of ground fuels that contribute to catastrophic wildfires. Prescribed fire is a very effective tool that fire managers use to reduce hazardous fuels conditions, and improve wildlife habitat.

The objective of the burn program is to protect our local communities from wildfire by reducing hazardous fuel conditions. Prescribed fires are also used for restoring, enhancing and sustaining a healthy forest ecosystem through reintroducing fire as a component of ecosystem dynamics. 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. The U.S. Forest Service complies with all local, state and federal air quality regulations during burn events.

Specific project location information is available online at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/stanislaus/home/?cid=stelprdb5440683). For more information about these projects or questions on prescribed burning, please call the local District Offices at: Stanislaus Supervisor’s Office at: 209-532-3671; Calaveras Ranger District (RD) at 209-795-1381; Groveland RD at 209-962-7825; Mi-Wok RD at 209-586-3234; or Summit RD at 209-965-3434.