Taking advantage of forecasted calm, clear conditions, U.S. Forest Service firefighters next week are slated to initiate several controlled burns in the San Bernardino National Forest near Mountain Center.
The first operation is scheduled for Tuesday, and the second will follow on Thursday, weather-permitting, according to the USFS.
The prescribed burns will be centered in the Cranston and Kenworthy zones east and west of Highway 74, north of Anza and south of Mountain Center, rangers said.
The San Jacinto Ranger District is overseeing the operations, which are expected to continue off and on until the beginning of June.
The total of amount acreage to be torched was not specified.
“Some communities may observe varying levels of smoke, ranging from thin to thick plumes,” the USFS said in a statement. “Those closer to the burn areas might also see flames and smell smoke.”
Residents and visitors were advised not to be alarmed by the activity.
The goal is to clear dead and excess vegetation that could provide fuel for wildfires.
“There are multiple methods to reduce combustible materials in forests, such as mechanical thinning, prescribed fire and pile burning,” the Forest Service stated. “Ecosystems that rely on periodic fires can become unhealthy. This (prescribed burning) process not only removes woody materials from the forest floor but also targets non-native plants, such as cheat grass, which can proliferate rapidly without natural controls and significantly increase fire intensity.”
Rangers said signs will be posted where operations are underway. No road closures were announced in connection with the burns.
“It is important to note that scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled if conditions change, and operations can be halted or postponed even at a moment’s notice.”
Additional information is available at www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf/.