10-26-2022 – EVENING – LATEST UPDATE –

We completed ignition of the current 72-acre prescribed burn late this afternoon. The area will still burn down, and smoke may remain in the area for some time after live firing has stopped. You may see the hill glowing along Highway 4 at night. The area will continued to be monitored and traffic control will remain in place for the time being.
Prescribed burns are an important land management tool that use low intensity fire as a treatment for the forest ecosystem and to help protect against catastrophic wildfire. Benefits include wildlife habitat improvement, removal of diseased materials, restoring essential nutrients to the soil, and allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor.
The charred trees and landscape will fade over time and the forest will begin to look like it did over a century ago. Fire can be scary for all us and smoke is hard to deal with especially for those sensitive to it. Thank you for your understanding and patience of this important work.

 

California State Parks and CALFIRE will continue to conduct prescribed burns in Calaveras Big Trees State Park on October 25, 2022. This is the second of a series of prescription burns planned for the park this fall.

10-26-2022 UPDATE –

Morning briefing for continuing a prescribed burning along the north side Highway 4.
Yesterday and last night went very well. California State Parks with the help of CALFIRE treated about 35 acres.
Some neighbors were concerned the burn was out of control last night and called local firefighters. Please help us spread the word that this prescribed burn is located right along the north side of the Highway 4 and within the planned boundaries.
The glow at night is normal for a low intensity fire like a prescribed fire. The prescribed burn is being monitored.

This particular project will cover approximately 72 acres along Highway 4. Ignition is dependent on weather conditions and resources. The units have been prepared for prescription burns. Active firing is expected to last three to four days; however, smoke will remain in the area for some time after active firing has stopped. Visitors and residents should expect one-lane traffic control along Highway 4 during daytime hours. Motorists should exercise caution driving along Highway 4 during nighttime hours from the park boundary through Arnold due to potential heavy smoke and reduced visibility.

Prescribed fire is an important, proactive resource to protect giant sequoias, and the park, from the catastrophic destruction of wildfires. As evidenced in the southern Sierra groves, dry conditions, heavy fuel loads, and high-intensity wildfires have led to the loss of giant sequoias at a rate not previously seen. Prescribed burns reduce the fuel load, can help slow or stop wildfires in treated areas, and mimic a more natural, low-intensity fire which is necessary for new sequoia growth.

 

Forest thinning and prescribed fire restore and maintain an ecologically healthy forest system. Additional benefits from the department’s prescribed fire program include vegetation management, wildlife habitat improvement, and enhancement of the health of the forest by removing diseased materials, restoring essential nutrients to the soil, and allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor.

 

In partnership with Save the Redwoods League, this year’s prescribed burns are funded through a grant from CAL FIRE’s California Climate Investments Program. The Giant Sequoia Forest Resilience Project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment– particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35% of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at CaClimateInvestments.ca.gov.

Although prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than wildfires, communities near Calaveras Big Trees State Park, including Arnold, Dorrington, Big Trees Village, White Pines, Blue Lake Springs, and Love Creek may experience smoke from the burning operations. Prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than wildfires. The department plans and coordinates these burns with the Calaveras and Tuolumne County Air Districts to minimize the smoke in surrounding communities. All burning depends on weather and air quality conditions that are favorable for smoke dispersal. If the conditions, such as weather or vegetation are not conducive for burning, the department will reschedule the burn.

For questions or comments about the project or about the prescribed burn program, contact Amber Sprock, Public Information Officer, at (209) 795-7980.