Groveland, CA…The Stanislaus National Forest provides the following information about planned prescribed underburns on the forest. The Bear Mountain Underburn, Groveland Ranger District. Located about 22 miles east of Groveland along Forest Road 1S03, in the vicinity of Ackerson and Bear Mountain, Township 1S, Range 19E. Smoke may be visible from Hwy. 120 and Evergreen Road, with some down-canyon drift smoke visible in the evening and early morning, mainly in the South Fork of the Tuolumne River drainage. Firefighters will be conducing this prescribed burn during evening hours beginning Aug. 15 in order to take advantage of cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity – conditions that help maintain compliance with guidelines in the burn plan. Forest leaders expect to have public information officers on hand to discuss the prescribed burn with visitors. This project is a planned prescribed fire. Please do not report as a wildland fire.

Projected Duration: Ignition of the prescribed burn is expected to begin around the mid-August and continue until late September. The actual controlled burning is expected to last for four to six days during that time. 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: A total of 151 acres could be treated with low-intensity fire, with planned ignition on approximately 35 acres each day. The size of burn may vary with weather and fuel moisture conditions, as well as permissible air quality burn days.

Type of Prescribed Burn: Broadcast underburn

Burn Project Objectives: To reduce the buildup of flammable forest fuels, both ground fuels and ladder fuels; reduce the threat of uncontrolled, large and damaging fires; improve protection of life and property in the communities of Evergreen, Camp Mather, Peach Growers tract, and private adjacent land; enhance and protect wildlife habitat and improve deer browse; protect the Tuolumne River watershed, campgrounds and forest and private infrastructure, and promote health and resiliency in mixed conifer forest and reduce susceptibility to future insect and disease occurrences and drought.

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. 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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