Prescribed burn update for October 7
MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif., October 7, 2023 — Wildland firefighters have completed a total of 235 acres of broadcast prescribed burning so far this fall on the Inyo National Forest to restore forest health and help protect the community of Mammoth Lakes.
This weekend, as firefighters continue to hold and secure the “Pit” burn unit located between Highway 203 and Sherwin Creek Campground, firefighters are relocating some resources from the “Pit” unit to the “Smoke” unit, approximately 2 miles northeast of Mammoth Lakes just below Smokey Bear Flat along Highway 395 North. Later in the week, firefighters will also be targeting the “Earthquake” unit located north of the Mammoth Scenic Loop.
Ignitions will start mid-morning Sunday, October 8, and continue until Saturday, October 14, as weather conditions allow:
- 350 acres targeted at the “Smoke” unit along Highway 395 North.
- 53 acres targeted at the “Earthquake” unit on Mammoth Scenic Loop.
Smoke Impacts
Smoke produced by the prescribed burns are carefully planned for. Burn Bosses are in close alignment with and get approvals from the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District each day. Firefighters that monitor smoke are also staged around the vicinity of the fire to adjust tactics to minimize impacts.
“The amount of smoke in the air is far less than it would be should a wildfire burn through the same area, as the fuels burning are on the ground with minimal torching of trees,” said Burn Boss, Jeff Karl.
“This RX project is not only for improving forest health, but also to lower the chance of a wind-driven crown fire, which is much more difficult to contain, putting up much more smoke in a shorter amount of time.”
To check air quality, visit airnow.gov.
Smoke and flame will be highly visible from Highway 395. Smoke will also be visible from the Town of Mammoth Lakes, north of Forest Road 3S126A and west of 3S38. Smoke will also be visible from Lee Vining down to Crowley Lake and beyond.
The majority of smoke is expected to disperse to the northeast of Smokey Bear Flat.
After ignitions are complete, smoke will continue to be visible up to a week while resources continue mopping up.
Staff coordinate with National Weather Service meteorologists to ensure weather patterns disperse smoke as favorably as possible.
As different phases of the prescribed burns are met, information will be released via:
www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/inyo/
alerts-notices
Resource Benefits
Reducing fuel loading will decrease future wildland fire intensity and severity, lowering the risk of long-term negative impacts to ecosystems, cultural resources, and communities that can result from uncharacteristically severe wildfires. The prescribed burning will also help to make these ecosystems more resilient to catastrophic wildfire and other ecosystem disturbances, such as beetle kill.
Additional prescribed burn units may be targeted as weather allows into the coming weeks and months. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
