Arnold, CA…California State Parks in cooperation with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) announced plans today to conduct prescribed burns in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. These are a series of prescription burns planned for the park this year.

The work may occur in the North Grove and Group Camp areas. The projects will cover approximately 248 acres in the park. Ignition is dependent on weather conditions and resources. The units have been prepared for prescription burns. Additional information, including dates will be provided as the projects receive approval.

These burns are part of the department’s prescribed fire program for vegetation management, hazardous fuel load reduction, wildlife habitat improvement, and 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 and neighboring residential areas from wildfires, as well as promoting new giant sequoia growth by creating mineral-nutrient soil and allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor.

In partnership with Save the Redwoods League, this year’s prescribed burns are funded through a grant from 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 follow the safety protocols set by public health officials and make 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 project or about the prescribed burn program, contact Rhiannon Montgomery, public information officer, at (209) 213-9032.

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Calaveras Big Trees State Park preserves two groves of giant sequoias – the world’s largest trees – in the North and South Groves. Established in 1931, the park offers a mixed-conifer forest (a variety of trees living together), as well as access to the Stanislaus River, Beaver Creek, ancient volcanic formations, and natural meadows. Trails throughout the park allow you to discover the natural beauty that has awed visitors to the area since 1852.