September 29, 2017 - Prather, CA. - Fire Managers on the High Sierra Ranger District are planning to continue ignitions for the 833 acre Dinkey South understory prescribed fire, on Tuesday October 3, 2017. Using the advantage of favorable weather conditions these ignitions will begin where they ended this past spring after 180 acres were successfully treated. Fire personnel and equipment will be committed to this project until the treatment is extinguished as burn days permit. The remaining unburned acreage is broken up into several units, and it is expected to take approximately 1 to 2 weeks to complete ignitions, with active burning being visible for several weeks after.

The objective of this prescribed burn treatment is to introduce fire to protect our local communities from destructive wildfire by not only reducing hazardous fuel conditions, but by restoring, enhancing and sustaining a healthy forest ecosystem. In 2010 & 2011 this was the very first Dinkey Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project (DFLR) to reduce ladder fuels, and thin overly dense forest stands to provide for forest resiliency using mechanical and prescribed fire treatments.

Visitors to the forest may see smoke, active fire, and firefighters during the burn, and are asked to drive slowly and carefully as they enjoy the forest. For firefighter and public safety, signs will be posted along roadways where burning is taking place.

The Sierra NF coordinates all burning activities with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to time the project to coincide with favorable weather conditions and smoke dispersion. Smoke may be visible from the greater Fresno/Clovis communities, and along Hwy168. Localized smoke impacts may be felt around Shaver Lake, Dinkey Creek and McKinley Grove roads. For regional information about air quality, smoke conditions, and health effects, visit www.valleyair.org  or visit www.airnow.gov. 

For questions regarding the Dinkey South Understory prescribed fire, contact Adam Hernandez Fuels Specialist, High Sierra Ranger District Office at (559) 855-5355.

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Source: Sierra National Forest