Arnold, CA…California State Parks in cooperation with the California Department of Forestry and Fire protection (CAL FIRE) are planning to conduct a prescribed burn Thursday, May 14, 2020, in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. This burn is part of the series of prescription burns planned for the park this year.

The work will be in the North Grove area, referenced on the attached map as Overlook Rx Burn. This burn will cover approximately 29-acres along West Moran Fire Road and the Scenic Overlook. Ignition is dependent on weather conditions and resources. Active burning will occur over two days, Thursday and Friday; however, smoke will remain in the area after active firing has stopped. The unit has been prepared for broadcast burning by removing snags along the site’s perimeter, creation of handline where fire roads do not exist, and clearing fuels along the fire roads used for control lines; allowing for a safer and more controllable broadcast burn.

Highway 4 will remain open but may experience delays due to smoke and other hazards. Some public sites near the burn areas will be closed during prescribed burn operations including the West Moran and Love Creek fire roads. Please obey all warning signs.

These burns are part of the prescribed fire program for vegetation management, hazardous fuel load reduction, wildlife habitat improvement, enhancement of the health of the forest by removing diseased materials, restoring essential nutrients to the soil, and reducing the chance of a catastrophic wildfire. Forest thinning and prescribed fire restore and maintain an ecologically healthy forest system. Additional benefits of these prescribed burns include protection of the park system from wildfires.

In partnership with Save the Redwoods League, this year’s prescribed burns are funded through a grant from the CAL FIRE’s, California Climate Investments Program. The Giant Sequoia Forest Resilience Project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment– particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate

Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.

Communities near Calaveras Big Trees State Park, including Arnold, Dorrington, Big Trees Village, White Pines, Blue Lake Springs, and Love Creek may experience smoke from the burning operations. Prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than wildfires. The department plans and coordinates these burns with the Calaveras and Tuolumne County Air Districts in order to minimize the smoke in surrounding communities. All burning depends on weather and air quality conditions that are favorable for smoke dispersal. If the conditions, such as weather or vegetation are not conducive for burning, the department will reschedule the burn.

California State Parks and CAL FIRE are adhering to the safety protocols set by public health officials and has made accommodations to limit exposure among first responders and field crews to protect staff from COVID-19 during prescribed burns.

For questions or comments about the projects or about the prescribed burn program, contact Natural Resources Program Manager Heather Reith at (209) 728-5217.