Sonora, CA…Fire personnel with the Stanislaus National Forest’s Mi-Wok/Summit Ranger District will conduct prescribed burn operations near the town of Strawberry, primarily between Cold Springs and Leland Meadows.  Ignition of the prescribed burn is expected to begin the last week of October and will continue for two to three weeks 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.

Characterized as an understory burn – a prescribed fire ignited under the forest canopy that focuses on the consumption of surface fuels but not the overstory vegetation – prescribed low-intensity fires enhances wildlife habitat, protects and maintains water quality and soil productivity, improves forest ecosystem health, and reduces the threat of uncontrolled conflagrations.

Crews hope to treat up to 2000 acres with low-intensity fire, with planned ignition on approximately 50-200 acres daily.  Daily area burnt will vary based on environmental conditions and smoke production.

The Sierra Nevada is a fire dependent ecosystem, where fire is a critical part of the natural forest process and helps to maintain resilient forests, explained Dan Guse, Summit Ranger District Assistant District Fire Management Officer.

Smoke may be visible from Hwy. 108. Fire managers are working closely with local air districts and the California Air Resources Board to Mitigate the effects of smoke on the public.

Please do not report as a wildland fire.

View Map of Burn Areas