2003

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Panther Gap Prescribed Burn Complete

The National Park Service at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area completed the 314 acre Panther Gap prescribed burn on Monday December 2, 2002. This burn is a huge success for Whiskeytown's fire program for 2003.

The burn was challenging due to weather patterns. In October, after weather conditions moderated and humidities increased, the fire division initiated a 2-acre test burn in the unit. This burn proved conditions were too dry to burn and meet the bjectives. In early November the park received 6 inches of rain through a series of storms. It was assumed the window of opportunity was over to complete this prescribed burn. But with two weeks of dry weather, temperatures in the 60's, and light winds, the weather cooperated for improved burning conditions. In the third week of November crews were able to blackline the whole unit. After Thanksgiving, conditions were still good to continue with the burn. Aerial ignition of 180 acres was completed in one successful day.

This prescribed burn was done in coordination with California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention, California Conservation Corps, United States Forest Service, as well as the National Park Service.

This prescribed burn is part of an interagency effort to help reduce the threat of wildfire to Old Shasta and west Redding and will enhance the effectiveness of fuelbreaks already in place. Prescribed fire also helps maintain native vegetation and natural ecosystems that depend on moderate to low intensity fires to maintain natural growth cycles and long term forest health.

Whiskeytown National
Recreation Area
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