Stanislaus National Forest
Sierra Sun Times file photo

May 17, 2019 - SONORA, Calif. — The Stanislaus National Forest provides the following information about planned prescribed underburns on the forest.  View map

Prescribed Fire Name / Ranger District: Bear Mountain Underburn, Groveland Ranger District

General and Specific Location: Located approximately 22 miles East of Groveland, along Forest Road 1S03, in the vicinity of Ackerson and Bear Mountain. Township 1S, Range 19E, Sections 23, 22, 21, 16, and 15.

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. This project is a planned prescribed fire. Please do not report as a wildland fire. Thank you for your cooperation!

Projected Duration: Ignition of the prescribed burn is expected to begin sometime in mid-May 2019 through mid-June 2019. Ignition is contingent on weather, fuel moisture, and air quality, and is anticipated to continue for 10-15 days as conditions allow. 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 986 acres are to be treated with low-intensity fire, with planned ignition on approximately 50-100 acres daily. The size of the burn may vary with weather and fuel moisture conditions, as well as permissible air quality burn days.

Type of Prescribed Burn: Low intensity broadcast underburn

Burn Project Objectives: The goal of this prescribed burn is to enhance public and firefighter safety by reducing the build-up of dead and down fuels and to reduce the threat of high-intensity wildfire while protecting watershed values and wildlife habitat by creating a mosaic pattern of vegetation.

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. Smoke may be visible from Highway 108 and in 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.


Source: Stanislaus National Forest