Fuels reduction and forest health thinning ramps up in May

Visitors should expect temporary forest closures around thinning operations for public safety. Visitors should also be advised that they may encounter log trucks on narrow forest roads and entering/exiting larger roads around town. Work is scheduled for 6-7 days each week.

“As we continue to increase the pace and scale of our vegetation treatments to protect our communities and forests, we want to recognize that this increase would not be attainable without partner and local community support,” said acting Forest Supervisor Nathan Sill.

• Current forest closures on the Inyo National Forest
• More information and background about each planning project
• Regular updates on Whitebark Institute’s implementation

Estimated work timeline 

Work is planned to continue through November and in some cases December. However, individual project timelines may change due to weather conditions or other changing circumstances. Projects are listed north to south.

This overview map shows the three main projects of June Lake & Scenic Loop, Red Meadows, and Mammoth Lakes Area. More detailed maps by area below.

Contacts for additional information:

• Inyo National Forest: Courtney Rowe, [email protected]
• National Forest Foundation: Catherine Cody, [email protected]
• Whitebark Institute: Ali Ursa, [email protected]

Map 1: June Lake & Scenic Loop Area

• June Mountain (National Forest Foundation): mid-June – mid-November

Mechanical thinning with heavy equipment and hand thinning with chainsaws on the June Mountain Ski Area. Expect partial closures of the June Mountain parking area. Units in dark green on map.

• Caltrans 395 (tentative): mid-July – mid-August 

Mechanical thinning with heavy equipment and hand thinning with chainsaws along Highway 395 from junction with Highway 158 south to junction with Highway 203. Expect occasional single lane closures on Highway 395.  Project may be postponed to 2027, depending on contracting. Units in yellow on map.

• Opuntia (Forest Service): May – December

Hand thinning with chainsaws near Highway 395 Rest Area. Units colored light green on map.

• Lava (National Forest Foundation): through mid-May; resumes December

Mechanical thinning with heavy equipment near the junction of Highway 395 and the Scenic Loop. Operations will continue through late May, then may resume for over-snow operations in December, depending on snow depth. Units in red on map.

• Inyo Craters Hazard Tree (California Deer Association): mid-May – mid-November

Mechanical thinning with heavy equipment and hand thinning with chainsaws along the Mammoth Lakes Scenic Loop and adjacent forest roads. Visitors should expect occasional closures on the Scenic Loop through mid-June. Units in black on map.

Map 2: Reds Meadow 

Reds Meadow (Whitebark Institute): June-July

Hand thinning with chainsaws in Agnew Meadow Cutoff Road. Units in pink on map.

Map 3: Mammoth Lakes Area

• Earthquake Dome Phase II (Whitebark Institute): mid-June – mid-July

Hand thinning with chainsaws near the Scenic Loop Cutoff Road. Units in olive green on map.

• Shady (Whitebark Institute): mid-May – mid-November

Mechanical thinning with heavy equipment and hand thinning with chainsaws. Visitors should expect temporary road closures and detours of Sawmill Cutoff Road, Sawmill Road, and other adjacent Forest Service roads. Additionally, visitors should expect temporary trail, playground, ball field, playground, and disc golf course closures. Units in dark blue on map.

• Caltrans 203: mid-June – mid-July

Both mechanical thinning with heavy equipment and hand thinning with chainsaws will be conducted in this project located along Highway 203 from junction with Highway 395, west to Minaret Vista. Visitors should expect occasional one-way traffic control on Highway 203 and temporary trail closures. Units in purple on map.

• Pumpkin (Whitebark Institute): late-May – mid-June

Mechanical piling with heavy equipment and hand thinning with chainsaws near Lake Mary Road, east of Juniper Road. Visitors should expect temporary trail closures. Units in orange on map.

• Panorama Dome Phase II (Whitebark Institute): mid-June – mid-July

Hand thinning with chainsaws near Lake Mary Road and Old Mammoth Road. Visitors should expect temporary trail closures. Units in maroon on map.

• Coldwater (Whitebark Institute): mid-May – mid-June

Hand thinning with chainsaws adjacent to the Coldwater Campground. Units in light blue on map.

• Aspen (Whitebark Institute): September – October

Hand thinning with chainsaws near Sherwin Creek Road. Units in white on map.