Arnold, CA…California State Parks in cooperation with the California Department of Forestry and Fire protection (CAL FIRE) are planning to begin prescribed burns next Monday, October 22 in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. The goal is to complete 302 acres this fall (see map below.) All 302 acres were previously thinned, reducing the fuel loading, and allowing for a safer and more controllable broadcast burn. Much of this work was funded through Propositions 84 and 1 grants from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, an agency of the State of California.

These burns are part of the prescribed fire program for vegetation management, hazardous fuel load reduction, wildlife habitat improvement, enhancing the health of the forest by removing diseased materials, restoring essential nutrients to the soil, and reducing the chance of a catastrophic wildfire. Through forest thinning and reduction of fire fuels, an ecologically healthy forest system can be maintained. Additional benefits of this prescribed burn include protection for the North Grove of giant sequoias and the Big Trees Village subdivision.

Pile burning will also take place throughout the fall, winter and spring seasons within the North and South Groves, and along the Big Trees Village and Blue Lake Springs park boundaries.

Prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than a wildfire does. The prescribed burns are planned and coordinated with the Calaveras County Air District in order to minimize the smoke impacts on surrounding communities. All burning depends on weather and air quality conditions that are favorable for smoke dispersal. If the conditions, such as weather or vegetation are not conducive for burning, the burns will be rescheduled.

Communities near Calaveras Big Trees State Park, including Dorrington, Big Trees Village, White Pines, Blue Lake Spring and Arnold may experience smoke from the burning operations. California State Parks is working with the Calaveras and Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control Districts to limit impacts to smoke sensitive areas

Some public trails and dirt roads near the burn area will be closed to public access during prescribed burn operations including the Walter W. Smith Parkway and East Moran Road. Please obey all closure signs.

Questions or comments about the projects or about the prescribed burn program can be directed to Senior Environmental Scientist Heather Reith at (209) 795-5928.

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