MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – A prescribed fire using the helitorch is planned for Friday on the Grindstone Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest, conditions permitting.

The Grindstone Chaparral Burn is planned for up to 700 acres and is located near Forest Highway 7 at Long Point.

Helitorch operations will utilize a helicopter directed by personnel in a small airplane to ignite the fire.

The public may notice smoke in this area of the forest Friday, as well as residual smoke after ignitions are over.

Forest visitors are asked to be aware of their surroundings and watch for prescribed burning operations to maintain personal and fire fighter safety.

Areas where prescribed burning operations are taking place will be well signed with increased fire personnel and agency traffic in the area

Due to increased fire traffic and smoke impacts are asked to avoid the Sanhedrin Road and use other routes.

Visitors are encouraged to contact the Forest at 530-934-3316 for more information. Confirmation and updates on prescribed fire activities can also be found on Twitter, @MendocinoNF.

Prescribed burning is an important tool for the forest to use for hazardous fuels reduction and forest health improvement, including wildlife habitat.

Prescribed fire is applied by trained professionals in a skillful manner under specific weather conditions in a defined location to achieve specific objectives.

Each prescribed fire can be different visually depending on the forest types, fuel load and how long fire has been absent from the area, including both wildfires and prescribed fires.

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.

For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .

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