Sonora, CA…The Stanislaus National Forest provides the following information about planned prescribed pile burns on the forest.  General and Specific Location: The prescribed pile burns are located at various locations throughout the Calaveras, Summit, Mi-Wok and Groveland ranger districts.  General areas where piles are located include administrative sites, areas adjacent to roads, along forest boundaries, within the Rim Fire footprint and along transmission and distribution lines. View prescribed fire plans under the Prescribed Fires section on the Fire Management web page.

Projected Duration: The prescribed burn may begin as early as late December 2020 and continue through the winter and spring, or for as long as conditions allow.  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. This project is a planned prescribed fire. Please do not report as a wildfire.

Planned Size of Prescribed Burn: Both hand and machine piles may be ignited throughout the winter and spring. Number of piles ignited daily will vary based on environmental conditions and smoke production.

Type of Prescribed Burn: Pile Burn

Burn Project Objectives: The goal of this prescribed burn is to enhance public and firefighter safety by reducing the build-up of dead and down fuels and to reduce the threat of high-intensity wildfire while protecting watershed values and wildlife habitat.

Public Benefits: 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 highways 4, 108 or 120 and surrounding communities. Fire managers are working closely with local air districts and the California Air Resources Board to mitigate the effects of smoke on the public.

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