Prescribed fire update for October 5, 2023
MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif., October 5, 2023 —Inyo National Forest firefighters with assisting agencies have completed a total of 107 acres so far on the “Pit Unit” located approximately 1 mile east of the Town of Mammoth Lakes. This project is expected to finish by Friday, October 6, before moving on to the next prescribed burn area, the “Smoke Unit” northeast of Mammoth in an area referred to as Smokey Bear Flat.
Smoke Impacts
The amount of smoke in the air is carefully planned for. Burn Bosses are in close alignment with and get approvals from the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District each day to burn the maximum amount of acreage that wouldn’t negatively impact air quality to an unsafe level. Additionally, firefighters that monitor smoke are staged around the vicinity of the fire to adjust tactics to minimize impacts.
“The amount of smoke in the air is indeed far less than it would be should a wildfire burn through the same area, as the fuels burning consist of ground fuels with minimal torching of trees,” said Jeff Karl, Burn Boss. “We plan to ignite smaller and controlled burn blocks each day and wait for smoke to dissipate before continuing ignitions the next days.”
“This RX project is to not only to improve 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,” he continued. “Today we are expecting to burn 128 acres to finish the project, since we have ideal conditions for burning. Afterward, smoke should taper off as the weekend approaches.”
If possible, minimize outdoor activity if you are sensitive to smoke. Smoke does tend to settle in low-lying areas in the evenings to the mornings, so camping and recreating in this vicinity is not advised. To check air quality, visit airnow.gov.
Next Steps
As early as this weekend, the “Smoke Unit” located next to Smokey Bear Flat, two miles northeast of Mammoth Lakes on the east side of Highway 395 is targeted for burning at 350 acres total. This burn is also expected to take place over a period of several days. Smoke will be visible from Highway 395, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and north of Forest Road 3S126A and west of 3S38. Due a shift in winds, we expect that the majority of this smoke will 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 the and National Weather Service meteorologists to ensure weather patterns disperse smoke as favorably as possible throughout the project’s duration.
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.
As different phases of the prescribed burns are met, information will be released via:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/inyonf
Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/inyo/
Additional prescribed burn units may be targeted as weather patterns allow into the coming weeks and months. More information will be provided on those projects as it becomes available.
