Single Publication

WILLOWS, Calif., Nov. 12, 2024—Forest personnel are planning several prescribed fire operations at campgrounds and administrative sites this fall, winter and spring, as weather patterns shift to cooler temperatures and wetter conditions. 

Grindstone District fire personnel are starting with pile burning in higher elevations and will be moving down to lower elevations as weather conditions permit. On Wednesday, Nov. 13 and throughout the week, firefighters will be attempting to burn piles at Board Camp and Snow Basin. Pile burning may also occur at Letts Lake, Log Springs, Ides Cove, Paskenta station and Red Bluff Recreation Area.

In the coming weeks, Upper Lake and Covelo Ranger District fire personnel are planning to burn piles located along roadsides in various locations, including Bartlett Mountain, M1 Road, Pine Mountain, Horse Mountain and Packsaddle. 

Pile burning may also occur at administrative sites, including Hammerhorn, Little Doe and Deer Valley campgrounds. Potential understory burning operations include Howard Mill, Westshore, Pillsbury Homesites and possible North Shore project. 

Fire managers conduct prescribed fire activities during the safest possible “burn windows” in the coming months. Numerous factors including wind, humidity, air quality, fuel moisture and availability of fire crew personnel must be met before crews are authorized to move forward with burning.

Residents and visitors are asked to avoid areas where prescribed fires are being conducted. Some smoke may be visible. Fires are carefully monitored. Local fire and government authorities are notified prior to burn days and kept informed throughout operations. 

Prescribed fire is a tool that uses fire under planned ignitions to mimic the natural role of fire in the environment. Without fire, hazardous fuels can build up and carry wildfire from the forest floor to tree canopies, creating extreme fire behavior that poses risk to firefighters, surrounding communities and natural resources.

All burning activities are weather dependent. Maps, locations, photos and updates on planned prescribed burn activities will be available on Inciweb at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/camnf-mendocino-nf-fall-2024spring-2025-rx-fire-projects.