WILLOWS — Prescribed burning season will begin again within the Mendocino National Forest, according to officials.
Prescribed burns are conducted when there is a window of opportunity and specific conditions and critieria are met before, and will be sustained, during and after the burn.
These include temperature, wind conditions, relative humidity and fuel moisture levels. Air quality is also taken into consideration by forest officials.
As cooler weather and higher humidity move in, there is an opportunity to bring fire into the forest in a controlled setting. Prescribed fires are used to clear the forest floor of small fuels and brush without burning or killing large trees.
“Prescribed burning is an important tool for the forest to use for hazardous fuels reduction and forest health improvement, including wildlife habitat,” Mike Steele, Grindstone Ranger District fuels officer, said. “The fires are intended to be slow, low-intensity creeping fires on the forest floor. Although there are only a few opportunities for prescribed burns, they produce less smoke and there aren”t the resource impacts typically created by large wildfires.”
The season traditionally runs from early October through spring, weather permitting. The burning operations are monitored and patrolled frequently to ensure public safety.
The public may notice smoke in various parts of the forest during the next few months as part of the continued commitment to protect communities and natural resources from wildfires.
Forest visitors, including hunters, are asked to be aware of their surroundings and watch for prescribed burning operations to maintain personal safety.
During the prescribed burning season, fire crews will also burn piles of wood debris and fuel that are the result of fuel reduction activities in the forest.
The Grindstone Ranger District plans to burn piles in the Ocean View area west of Forest Highway 7. Operations will begin soon, conditions permitting.
In addition to Ocean View, there are plans to burn additional piles across the Grindstone Ranger District during fall and winter.
District staff plan to conduct prescribed burning activities on approximately 2,500 acres, including understory burning near Alder Springs and Ivory Mill.
Forest officials stated the focus right now is to get to higher elevation pile sites before they become inaccessible because of snow and poor road conditions.
On the west side of the forest, prescribed burning is planned along Elk Mountain Road, in the areas of Howard Mill and Willow Creek, along the M10 Road northeast of the Three Crossings area, Boardman Ridge, High Valley, Streeter Ridge, Pine Mountain, Lake Pillsbury, Little Round Mountain on the M6 Road, and in the vicinity of Bredehoft Place and Pinto Ridge in the Covelo Ranger District.
Treatments at selected campgrounds, guard stations, administrative sites and other pile burning are also planned as part of this season”s prescribed burning operations.
Areas where prescribed burning operations are taking place will be well-signed and there will be increased fire personnel in the area.
If visitors are uncertain, they are encouraged to contact the forest at 530-934-3316 before their visit to see where prescribed burns are planned for the day.
Prescribed burning announcements will be placed at local ranger stations prior to ignition. Forest employees are committed to a safe and successful prescribed burning season for both the public and employees.
For more information, contact the Grindstone Ranger District at 530-934-3316, the Upper Lake Ranger District at 707-275-2361 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino.
