A series of controlled burns around the mile-high communities of Idyllwild and Pine Cove were slated to start any day this week and possibly continue throughout the month, as Riverside County Fire Department crews focus on eliminating excess vegetation that might otherwise fuel wildfires.
Residents of the mountain communities, as well as motorists traveling Highways 74, 243 and Interstate 10, were advised not to be alarmed by rising smoke columns in the area while the burns are going.
They were expected to begin Monday, but conditions didn’t meet specific criteria, so operations were deferred but could commence anytime, officials confirmed.
The U.S. Forest Service deployed personnel to a location in the same general area over the previous week, and the federal firefighters’ prescribed fires reportedly went off without hitch.
According to county fire officials, the county operation is concentrated in the Red Hills Project Area abutting the mountain communities. Crews are targeting no more than 10 acres of excess foliage for eradication, most of which will be in the form of slash piles. The first slash pile burning occurred in mid January.
“A prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools available to reduce hazardous fuels and lessen the severity of future wildfires,” the fire department stated. “Burning operations consist of igniting previously constructed vegetation piles.”
The burns will generally begin around 7 a.m. and conclude by nightfall. Depending on the weather, operations may continue intermittently until Feb. 27.
“Drift smoke may be visible from nearby communities, but will disperse quickly and is not expected to be a health hazard,” according to the agency statement.
Operations are closely monitored and immediately suspended when there are signs of strengthening winds or low humidity.
No road closures are in effect in connection with the planned fires.