Two prescribed burns are scheduled in Riverside County the first week of June.
The first burn is scheduled from Monday to Friday at Lake Mathews, while the second is scheduled Wednesday and Thursday in San Timoteo Canyon, north of Moreno Valley and west of Beaumont, according to Cal Fire Riverside.
Both burns will attempt to rehabilitate the burrowing owl and the Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat habitat through eradication of invasive, non-native grasses and weed species.
“In addition to habitat preservation, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department will utilize this prescribed burn as a training course for company officers enrolled in fire law enforcement tactics and origin/cause determination,” Cal Fire announced.
Drift smoke may be visible from nearby communities, but will disperse quickly and is not expected to be a health hazard, according to Cal Fire.
Burning operations typically begin after 6 a.m. and conclude by 1 p.m. the same day. The burning operation will only occur on permissive burn days as determined by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.