A U.S. Forest Service press release posted in September provides information and resources to learn more about the controlled burns it will conduct this fall. Read the first few paragraphs and then click through to read the whole release:
Willows, CA -- The Mendocino National Forest is entering the fall prescribed burning season as part of a continued commitment to protect communities and natural resources from wildfires. The public may notice smoke in various parts of the forest during the next few months.
As cooler weather and higher humidity move in, bringing to a close the hot and dry wildfire season, there is an opportunity to bring fire into the forest in a controlled setting. Prescribed fires are used to clear the forest floor of small fuels and brush without burning or killing large trees.
During prescribed burning season, fire crews also burn piles of wood debris and fuel that are the result of fuel reduction activities in the Forest. This year the Grindstone Ranger District also plans to burn a pile at the Chico Genetic Research Center.
Prescribed burns are conducted when there is a window of opportunity and specific conditions and criteria are met before, and will be sustained during and after the burn. These include temperature, wind conditions, relative humidity and fuel moisture levels. The Forest also takes air quality into consideration.
The season traditionally runs from October 1 through December 31 as weather permits. The burning operations are monitored and patrolled frequently to ensure public safety.
Click here to read the whole release and find other information.
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