MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – A prescribed fire is planned for this Wednesday on the Grindstone Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest, conditions permitting.
The Alder Springs Underburn is planned for approximately 250 acres and is located near Alder Springs off of Forest Highway 7.
The public may notice smoke in this area of the forest Wednesday, as well as residual smoke after ignitions are over, forest officials said.
Forest visitors are asked to be aware of their surroundings and watch for prescribed burning operations to maintain personal and firefighter safety.
Areas where prescribed burning operations are taking place will be well signed with increased fire personnel and agency traffic in the area.
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.
Forest officials said 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.
Visitors are encouraged to contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 for more information.
Confirmation and updates on prescribed fire activities can also be found on Twitter, @MendocinoNF, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .