San Andreas, CA…The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) will be conducting prescribed burning in Tuolumne County. Crews will be burning in the Hetch Hetchy Vegetation Management Program (VMP). Smoke may be visible in the daytime hours in this area.

The prescribed burn will benefit the watershed as well as provide protection from wildland fire to the areas of Groveland, Big Oak Flat and Greeley Hill. The prescribed fire will also enhance grazing for cattle.

CAL FIRE is emphasizing fire prevention and fuels treatment. This VMP Program is a 90% benefit for the State Responsibility Area (SRA) and 10% benefit to the two private entities, and will truly benefit the Groveland community and make a real and measurable impact to the fire threat.

If conditions are conducive, a minimum of 80 acres of grass and oak understory will be burned on Thursday, October 20th starting at 12:00 p.m. and will conclude at 6:00 p.m. Resources utilized to conduct the prescribed burn will consist of ten fire engines, five fire crews, two water tenders, two dozers and one helicopter.