Sonora, CA…Fire crews with the Stanislaus National Mi-Wok/Summit Ranger District will look to burn up to 960 acres with prescribed (RX) fire in the Cedar Ridge area beginning the middle of May with a target start date of May 20th.

“The burn units are located north of Highway 108 between Mt. Elizabeth and Old Oak Ranch,” explained Mi-Wok District Fire Management Officer, Dan Guse.

Depending upon weather conditions, fuel moistures and other factors, crews will look to burn 50-200 acres with burn operations continuing into June.

Smoke may be visible from Highway 108. Fire managers are working closely with local air districts, Tuolumne County Public Health and the California Air Resources Board to mitigate the effects of smoke on the public. Residents are encouraged to monitor air conditions via the AirNow.gov website and take appropriate actions when necessary. Additional Smoke resources are available via the Stanislaus National Forest’s Smoke Ready page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/SmokeReady

The RX burn supports continued work in the designated Wildfire Crisis Strategy Landscape. Launched by the U.S. Forest Service in 2021, the Wildfire Crisis Strategy looks to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire across the western United States through a combination of RX Fire and other fuels treatments to include machine and hand thinning.

In 2024, the Stanislaus National Forest was awarded more than $55 million to continue work on the designated Stanislaus Wildfire Crisis Strategy Landscape. Encompassing more than 305,000 acres focused along the Highway 108 corridor, the effort will reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire to residents, while providing habitat and protecting critical infrastructure.

Prescribed low-intensity fires enhance wildlife habitat, protect and maintain water quality and soil productivity, improve forest ecosystem health, and reduce the threat of uncontrolled conflagrations. 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.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to Forest Public Affairs Officer, Benjamin Cossel: benjamin.cossel@usda.gov or 209.288.6261