Shasta-Trinity National Forest Announces Prescribed Burns for Mt. Shasta and McCloud Areas

MOUNT SHASTA, Calif., September 28, 2024 – The Shasta-Trinity National Forest has unveiled plans for a series of prescribed burns in the Mt. Shasta and McCloud areas as part of its fall and winter forest management strategy. These controlled burns are scheduled to commence as cooler temperatures and increased moisture usher in more favorable conditions for such operations.

The prescribed burns are a crucial component of the Forest Service’s efforts to maintain healthy and resilient forests. By mimicking the natural role of fire in the ecosystem, these planned ignitions help prevent the buildup of hazardous fuels that can lead to extreme wildfire behavior.

“Prescribed fire is an essential tool in our forest management toolkit,” said Dan Ostmann, Deputy Fire Management Officer for Fuels. “It allows us to meet our objectives for ecological restoration, create habitats for diverse plant and animal species, and reduce unwanted fuel loading in a controlled manner.”

The planned burns in the Mt. Shasta and McCloud areas include:

Underburns:

• Hwy 89-McCloud
• Harris
• McBride
• Snowman’s

Hand piles:

• Lower McCloud (Ah-Di-Na Rd. and Bear Trap Creek Rd)
• McCloud Falls
• Mt. Shasta I-Zone
• South Fork (Castle Lake)

Machine Piles:

• Harris

Landing piles:

• Azalea
• Bottom
• East Power
• Esperanza
• McFalls
• North McBride
• North Porcupine Sandy
• South McBride
• Tank
• Walsh

Forest officials emphasize that all prescribed burn operations are contingent on suitable weather conditions. Factors such as wind speed and direction, temperature, relative humidity, and fuel moisture levels are carefully monitored to ensure optimal burning conditions and minimize potential impacts.

Local residents and visitors to the Mt. Shasta and McCloud areas may notice smoke during these operations. The Forest Service is working closely with county air quality control agencies to manage any short-term impacts on air quality. However, officials note that smoke levels may be influenced by neighboring wildland fires as well.

For the most up-to-date information on specific prescribed burn locations and schedules, the public is encouraged to visit the Shasta-Trinity National Forest website or check with local Ranger District Offices. The Forest Service will also be issuing additional press releases with maps as operations commence.

These prescribed burns represent a proactive approach to forest management, aiming to create more fire-resilient landscapes and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the future.