Single Publication

3/4/24 - The Cleveland National Forest (CNF) Palomar Ranger District (PRD) is set to initiate prescribed fire preparation on the following projects:

Prescribed Fire Preparation:

Jeff Valley (maps 1-2) – Crews may be working on handlines and various pile burn prep activities.

Palomar Fuel breaks (map 3) – Crews may be working on various preparations for burning.

Fry Creek (map 4) – Crews may be working on various preparations for burning.

North Ramona FB West (map 5) – Urban Corp Crew cut/pile work continues, estimated completion in May.

Prescribed Fire:

We will be evaluating site conditions today and possibly setting up for pile burning in Jeff Valley this week – since March 1 we’ve had 1.8” of rain (Palomar RAWS) so we may need to allow some drying before our next entry. When we do burn, activity could occur in multiple units if we need to move to locations that are more receptive to burn (shelter/different fuels). Targeted units for burning progression are 3/8 (units west of Conifer Rd., below homes on Birch Hill), or/and 9/4/6. Jeff Valley is the priority, but we will continue to monitor weather, fuels, and access conditions for other burn projects.

 Palomar Mt. Piles –

Jeff Valley: Burning could go multiple days with the right conditions. Units 11/12/13/14/15 are considered completed, except for a few piles remaining within these unit areas that hold moisture and/or are more difficult to light. Any piles remaining will be targeted with future broadcast burning.

*Acres burned in Jeff Valley to date: estimated 91 acres. Crews had two successful burns in Jeff Valley last week: est. 40 acres burned in units 14/15 on 2/27, and 20 acres burned in units 11/12 on 2/28; for an approximated 60 acres burned last week.

The machine piles at the landing (near unit 11) have not been burned – waiting for the right weather opportunity…tricky to plan for with winds and ground conditions (prefer significant snow), as these piles could have the potential to hold heat and produce smoke for many days.

Fry Creek: priority units are 8a/b & 2a/b. Jeff Valley is a priority over Fry Creek, but it is possible that we could burn piles in Fry Creek with significant snow on the ground.

Palomar Fuel breaks – prescribed burning may occur with available burn windows.

Admin/Station Piles – pile burning could occur anytime conditions are favorable.

North Ramona Fuel break – prescribed burning complete for the burn season.

*Total acres burned on North Ramona FB: 258 acres.