Upper Lake & Covelo Ranger Districts plan prescribed fires
WILLOWS, Calif.; October 9, 2016 – For Immediate Release – Mendocino National Forest fire managers are preparing for prescribed burning on the Upper Lake & Covelo Ranger Districts. Burning may begin as early as Wednesday, October 12 and continue through the fall and winter as conditions allow. Prescribed fires are conducted to help reduce the potential for future severe wildfires, increase firefighter safety, remove hazardous fuels, and protect communities and watersheds.
The ignition of all projects is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, favorable weather, conditions that minimize smoke impacts as best as possible, and California Air Resources Board approval. The local air quality district manages the number of acres available to burn during allotted burn days based on the amount of projects proposed.
Burns are conducted within a “prescription” that is determined by appropriate fuel moisture, temperature, humidity, wind, and ventilation. Fire crews implement, monitor, and patrol each project to ensure it meets the goals and objectives outlined in the prescribed burn plans.
We strive to keep the public informed of planned prescribed fires as smoke may be visible at different times across the forest. Forest visitors should contact the appropriate ranger district for prescribed fire information before beginning their trip to the forest.
These are the prescribed fires on the Upper Lake & Covelo Ranger Districts that may occur this year:
· Howard Mill Underburn – 7,400 acres, the project is located in Lake County. Lake Pillsbury is approximately five miles north and Upper Lake is about five miles south of the project.
· Westshore Underburn – 1,070 acres, project units are located in Lake County. Lake Pillsbury is less than one mile east and Potter Valley is nine miles west of the project.
· High Valley/Lakeview Underburn – 2,575 acres, located in Lake County above the lakeside communities of Nice, Lucerne and Clear Lake Oaks.
· Howard Lake Underburn – 175 acres, the project is located in Mendocino County near Howard Lake and Little Doe Campground. Covelo is approximately 10 miles southwest of the project.
· Boardman Ridge Underburn – 2,350 acres, project units are in Lake County. Lake Pillsbury is three miles south of the project.
· Horse Mountain Underburn – 545 acres, units are located in Lake County. Lake Pillsbury is approximately five miles north and Upper Lake is about five miles south of the project.
· Elk Mountain Fuelbreak Underburn – 700 acres, located in Lake County along Elk Mountain Road beginning just north of Middle Creek Campground to Lake Pillsbury Basin.
· Upper Lake & Covelo Pile Burns – 4,000 acres, located across the Upper Lake and Covelo Ranger Districts within Lake, Glenn and Mendocino counties.
As projects are implemented, updates will be posted on the forest website, http://www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino. For more information, please contact Terry Nickerson, Nick Mouthaan or Joseph Rodriguez at 707-275-2361.