REDDING, Calif. – The Shasta-Trinity National Forest has announced plans to conduct prescribed fire operations starting on Saturday.
Officials say the burn operations are set to continue through Friday, January 30, as long as weather conditions permit and all necessary approvals are met.
The United States Forest Service emphasized the importance of using prescribed fires to manage overgrown vegetation and protect local communities, infrastructure, and natural resources from wildfires.
The planned prescribed fires will be conduced in the following areas:
Hayfork RD: Pilot hand piles, near Hayfork (150 acres)Shasta Lake RD: Interstate 5 (Skyline) Pile Rx, multiple sites along Interstate 5 between Packers Bay and Antlers Bridge (190 acres)Weaverville RD: Haylock hand piles, near Trinity Lake (150 acres); Lake Forest Plantations/Kinney Camp piles, near Mule Creek (150 acres)
For public safety, areas affected by these fires may be closed to the public for several days. Warning signs will be posted along roads near the burn areas.
Residents should be aware that smoke may be present during the prescribed burns. For more information on air quality, the public can visit AirNow online or use the app. Drivers are encouraged to slow down and use headlights when encountering smoke on the road.
Weather conditions will be evaluated shortly before each burn begins, and prescribed fire activities may be canceled if conditions are not favorable.
For the latest updates, individuals can visit the forest website, follow their social media channels, or check InciWeb. County emergency management officials will be notified when burning starts.
The USDA Forest Service has a long-standing mission of conservation, managing millions of acres of public land, and supporting state and private landowners.
The agency plays a significant role in the stewardship of forested areas across the U.S., promoting economic, ecological, and social vitality.