September 18, 2023 - SONORA, California - Fire professionals with the Stanislaus National Forest’s Mi-Wok/Summit Ranger District will begin the fall prescribed burning season as early as Sept. 18, 2023. The work will be a continuation of burns began this previous spring in the Strawberry, South Fork, Cedar Ridge, North Beardsley, and Dry Meadows burn units with the goal of burning more than 8700 acres.
“Ignition of the prescribed burn is expected to begin the mid-September and continue through November as long as conditions allow,” explained Mi-Wok/Summit Ranger District Fire Management Officer, Shaun Craig. “Burning is contingent on weather, fuel moisture, and air quality. All burning is monitored and conducted in accordance with state and county air quality guidelines and closely coordinated with local county air quality control districts.”
Part of the Forest Services’ Wildfire Crisis Strategy, the Stanislaus National Forest is currently into year two of a ten-year, 305,000 acres project to reduce fuel loads on the forest through a variety of methods to include mechanical thinning and the application of prescribed fire.
With the prescribed burn, fire professionals will reduce the buildup of flammable forest fuels, both ground fuels and ladder fuels; reduce the threat of uncontrolled, large and damaging fires; treat activity generated fuels; improve protection for life, property, and resources.
Prescribed burning is an effective, cost-efficient method of reducing flammable forest fuels, improving firefighting capabilities, and reducing the impacts of large, uncontrolled damaging wildland fires.
Smoke may be visible from Hwy. 108. Fire managers are working closely with local air districts and the California Air Resources Board to mitigate the effects of smoke on the public.
Please do not report as a wildfire.
Any questions or concerns should be directed to Forest Public Affairs Officer, Benjamin Cossel: benjamin.cossel@usda.gov or 209.288.6261.
Source: Stanislaus National Forest’
