Hathaway Pines, CA…The Stanislaus National Forest provides the following information about planned prescribed burns on the forest. Prescribed Fire Name / Ranger District: Moore-Bellfour Underburn, Calaveras Ranger District. General and Specific Location: Project area is located along Forest Road 7N09 (Cabbage Patch Road) south of Salt Springs Reservoir. Township 7 North, Range 16 East, Section 12 Smoke may be visible from Hwy. 4 and in the 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. To view the project map, visit the News & Events section of the forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus/.

This project is a planned prescribed burn. Please do not report as a wildfire.

Projected Duration: The prescribed burn may begin Sept. 12 and continue through 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: Project area includes between 300 and 800 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: Underburn

Burn Project Objectives: 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.

Public Benefits: Prescribed burning is an effective, cost efficient method of reducing the buildup of flammable forest fuels, both ground fuels and ladder fuels; reducing the threat of uncontrolled, large and damaging wildland fires and improving firefighting capabilities.

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