October 5, 2019 - OAKHURST, Calif. - Sierra National Forest fire officials plan implementation of the fall/winter underburning program within the Bass Lake Ranger District. With projects on Sugar Pine, Double-gate, Lone Sequoia, Timberloft, Greys Mountain, Cedar Valley, as well as; administrative sites at Batterson, Jerseydale, and Clearwater stations for approximately 1675 acres. 

These burning projects will be concentrated along the Hwy 41 corridor from Westfall Station, south to the Lewis Creek Trail access, Miami Creek watershed and Sivel’s Meadow areas. For public and firefighter safety, signs will be posted along roadways entering areas where burning is taking place. Burning is planned for both day and night, to help limit visibility impacts from smoke to vehicles traveling along Hwy 41. Burning may occur during some weekend periods as well. The burning is planned to be completed during favorable forest fuels burning conditions throughout the fall months of October thru December depending on weather moisture amounts and resource availability.

Objectives for underburning is to remove vegetation (fuels) accumulations due to tree mortality and timber harvest work, within recent timber sales project plots, listed above.  The removal of these fuels provides a benefit by reducing the potential of a catastrophic wildfire that would cause damage to private property, wildlife habitat, and watersheds.

These burns are conducted within the proximity of urban interface, as part of an on-going wildfire defense system across the forest designed to slow the progression of wildfires into surrounding communities such as Sugar Pine, Fish Camp, Cedar Valley and Oakhurst. This fuels reduction will allow firefighters a safe area to engage in suppression activities, such as on the recent Railroad, Oak, and Ferguson fires. Recurring treatments are necessary to maintain defense effectiveness as well as, to promote ecosystem health, restoration, and resiliency.

These projects may result in a temporary reduction in air quality in the communities of Oakhurst, Fish Camp, Sugar Pine, Cedar Valley, Bass Lake, Ahwahnee, and surrounding areas. 
The Forest Service coordinates all burning activities with the Mariposa County and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to time the project to coincide with favorable weather conditions and smoke dispersion. Also Coordination with Cal Trans and local law enforcement agencies to keep traffic flowing smoothly along Hwy 41.  Local community residents and visitors to the forest can learn more about air quality and smoke by visiting either www.airnow.gov or www.valleyair.org, and traffic status along Hwy 41 at Roads, Traffic and Travel. 

For more information on the planned prescribed burns, contact the Bass Lake Ranger District Office at (559) 877-2218.

Source: Sierra National Forest/ USDA Fire Photo