Pile burning to continue this Friday in Mammoth Lakes
***UPDATE***
Due to dynamic weather conditions and new snowfall forecasted this weekend, Inyo National Forest personnel have re-prioritized and will be targeting the Sherwin Creek piles this Friday, then looking at Reds Meadow after the weekend.
BISHOP, Calif., January 10, 2024 —Inyo National Forest fire personnel will take a window of opportunity starting this Friday, January 12 to continue burning approximately 150 piles of heavy fuels in Reds Meadow over approximately five days to restore forest health and reduce hazardous fuels.
If the burning of these priority large, machine-stacked piles goes well and weather conditions continue to be favorable, firefighters will stay in Reds Meadow to burn an additional 200 acres of hand piles for an additional 10 days of ignitions.
Once the piles in Reds Meadow have been completed and if conditions are favorable fire personnel plan move on to the Sherwin Creek area to burn another 200 acres of hand piles.
Both areas where ignitions are taking place are not accessible via wheeled vehicles. Since these areas are still open to the public, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers should be aware of smoke impacts and stay clear of personnel and equipment for safety.
Ignitions may continue until the end of January with firefighters mopping up and patrolling throughout. Smoke may periodically be seen from these areas, and is expected to drift away from the Town of Mammoth Lakes. Some smoke may settle into the valleys overnight, so please do not report or call 911.
These pile burns are a part of the implementation of the “Reds Meadow Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project” Environmental Assessment completed in 2020, and the “Sherwin to Scenic Loop Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project” Environmental Assessment completed in 2013.
Updates will be released via:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/inyonf
Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/inyo/
After ignitions are complete, smoke may continue to be visible up to a week while firefighters continue mopping up. Ignitions are closely coordinated with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution District (for Reds Meadow), Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (for Sherwin Creek), and National Weather Service meteorologists to ensure desired weather patterns and smoke dispersal are in place before ignitions. For more information visit: fire.airnow.gov
Additional prescribed burn units may be targeted as fuel moistures and weather patterns allow into the coming spring months. More information will be provided on those projects as it becomes available.
