Sonora, CA…May 30, 2023 – Fire managers from both the Calaveras and Groveland Ranger District will begin prescribed burn operations on their respective districts within the next week. On the Groveland District, fire crews will tip-torch on the Bear Mountain burn units, a continuation of work done during the fall 2022 season. All told, crews will look to complete more than 900 acres. Assuming conditions remain favorable, crews will look to burn for up to seven days. Burning may begin as soon as May 31.

On the Calaveras District, crews will make entry into the Sourgrass burn unit, located approximately two miles northeast of the Stanislaus National Forest’s Dorrington Station. Operators will look to begin operations no later than Monday, June 5. All told, the Calaveras crews will look to treat more than 300 acres with low intensity fire.
With the prescribed burns, fire professionals will reduce the buildup of flammable forest fuels, both ground fuels and ladder fuels; reduce the threat of uncontrolled, large and damaging fires; treat activity generated fuels; improve protection for life, property, and resources.

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.

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.