Arnold, CA…California State Parks in cooperation with the California Department of Forestry and Fire protection (CAL FIRE) are planning to conduct a prescribed burn Monday, November 11, 2019, in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. This burn is part of the series of prescription burns planned for the park this fall. The work will be in the South Grove area, referenced on the attached map as Segments 7, 8 and 9. This burn will cover approximately 20 acres along the southern boundary of the park, the border shared with Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI). These segments are in a remote area of the park. Ignition is dependent on weather conditions and resources. Active burning will occur over two days, Monday and Tuesday; however, smoke will remain in the area after active firing has stopped. Some units have been thinned to reduce fuel loading and allow for a safer and more controllable broadcast burn.

Both Highway 4 and the Walter W. Smith Parkway will remain open but may experience delays due to smoke and other hazards. The Parkway may experience short-term closures. Some public sites near the burn areas will be closed during prescribed burn operations including the South Rim Road. Please obey all warning signs.

These burns are part of the prescribed fire program for vegetation management, hazardous fuel load reduction, wildlife habitat improvement, enhance the health of the forest by removing diseased materials, restoring essential nutrients to the soil, and reducing the chance of a catastrophic wildfire. Forest thinning and prescribed fire restore and maintain an ecologically healthy forest system. Additional benefits of these prescribed burns include protection of the park system from wildfires.

The program is largely funded through a grant from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, an agency of the State of California, and California Climate Investments – Forest Health grant. California Climate Investments is a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities.

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. Prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than wildfires. The department plans and coordinates these burns with the Calaveras and Tuolumne County Air Districts in order to minimize the smoke in 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 department will reschedule the burns.

For questions or comments about the projects or about the prescribed burn program, contact Rhiannon Montgomery at (209) 213-9032.