Crooks Mountain Prescribed Burn 

October 25, 2026 – Madera, CA – CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit (MMU) officials announce that they will conduct a vegetation management burn on October 28-29, 2026. The burn will take place off Road 619 in Ahwahnee and will consist of annual grass, oak woodland, and heavy brush, totaling about 112 acres. Burning will take place from 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. each day. Smoke will be visible.

The vegetation management burn will be used to protect the community of Ahwahnee, the Highway 49 South corridor and is part of a strategic plan to prevent disastrous fires such as the Harlow Fire in 1961.The management burn will also help eliminate noxious weeds, fuel loading, ladder fuels and promote native grasses.

Location: Off Road 619 in Ahwahnee

Area: About 112 acres of annual grass, oak woodland, and heavy brush

Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day

Smoke will be visible. Please don’t call 911 for smoke from this area during burn hours.

Why we burn:

• Protects the community of Ahwahnee and the Highway 49 South corridor
• Part of a strategic plan to prevent disastrous fires like the 1961 Harlow Fire
• Removes noxious weeds, fuel loading, and ladder fuels
• Promotes healthy native grasses

Thank you for your patience as we work to keep our communities safe!

Source: CAL FIRE