Angels Camp & Copperopolis, CA…The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) will conduct a prescribed burn on the Whittle Vegetation Management Program (VMP) site in Calaveras County on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. The primary purpose of the prescribed burn is to reduce hazardous fuel around Fowler Peak Lookout, communication towers, and surrounding infrastructure located on top of the Bear Mountain Range, just East of Copperopolis and West of Angels Camp.

The prescribed burn will consist of approximately 60 acres along the ridgetop of Bear Mountain. Smoke will be visible from Highway 49 and Highway 4. Resources assigned will consist of fire engines, fire crews, and bulldozers. Burning will be conducted from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. contingent on weather and fire activity. The Whittle VMP project was planned as part of broader strategic efforts to protect the local community and nearby natural resources.

These plans are informed by community and local stakeholder input and serve as a collaborative effort with a range of cooperators throughout the course of the project. This project adds to significant work underway throughout the state and brings California one step closer towards meeting or exceeding state fuels reduction goals directed by the California Fire Plan and the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.

To track the progress being made, both in your community and throughout California, please visit the CAL FIRE fuels reduction dashboard at https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/natural-resource-management/fuels-reduction and help share important preventing and preparedness information with your neighbors at readyforwildfire.org.

Follow us on Twitter: @CALFIRETCU and on Facebook @CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit

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