Arnold, CA…The Stanislaus National Forest provides the following information about planned prescribed burns on the forest. General and Specific Location: Irish O’Manuel Underburn, Unit I-13 and I-19, Calaveras Ranger District. Project area is located along Forest Road 5N52 (Summit Level Road), north of White Pines Reservoir and northeast of Arnold, California. Township 5 North, Range 15 East, Section 19. To view a map of the prescribed burn visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/stanislaus/news-events.This project is a planned prescribed fire. Please do not report as a wildland fire.

Projected Duration: The prescribed burn may begin Nov. 1 and continue through the fall as long as conditions allow. 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

Planned Size of Prescribed Burn: Cumulative total is approximately 300 acres. Burn units may be ignited in blocks throughout the fall. The size of these blocks will vary based on environmental conditions and smoke production.

Type of Prescribed Burn: Low-intensity underburn

Burn Project Objectives: The goal of this prescribed burn is to enhance public and firefighter safety by reducing the build-up of dead and down fuels and to reduce the threat of high-intensity wildfire while protecting watershed values and wildlife habitat by creating a mosaic pattern of vegetation.

Public Benefits: 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. Smoke may be visible from Highway 4 and surrounding communities. Fire managers are working closely with local air districts and the California Air Resources Board to mitigate the effects of smoke on the public.

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