Pile Burning to Begin Near Minaret Vista
Mammoth Lakes, Calif., November 16, 2023 — U.S. Forest Service fire personnel are taking advantage of the most recent storm to burn 87 acres of piles along Highway 203 between Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge and Minaret Vista. This section of road is often referred to as the “Minaret mile” as that is approximately how long this stretch of road is. Crews plan to start lighting piles on Friday, November 17th and may take several days to complete.
The purpose of this project is to reduce hazardous fuels, create defensible space for the town of Mammoth Lakes, and return fire to the landscape to help restore forest health and resilience to wildfires.
Additional pile units may be targeted in the future with incoming weather bringing more snow. Ignitions are coordinated with the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District and National Weather Service meteorologists to ensure desired weather patterns and smoke dispersal.
