2005

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Second Significant 239-Acre Prescribed Burn Completed

The National Park Service at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area completed the 239 acre Roost B Prescribed Burn on November 18, 2005. This burn follows the Queen Mary Prescribed Burn completed in October. The burn unit is named “roost” because the area provides critical habitat for bald eagles. The unit is located on the southeast side of the park and is a critical link in Whiskeytown’s Wildland Urban Interface Plan to reduce hazardous fuels near communities at risk and restore forest health.

In early November, a series of small storms moved through the area dropping over seven inches of rain. It seemed the burning window would close for the fall. Then weather conditions dried and warmed with temperatures reaching into the mid 70’s. After seven days of warm weather it was determined conditions were favorable to conduct the burn. One hundred personnel participated in the one day burn. Crews worked together to blackline the perimeter of the burn and the helicopter ignited the interior of the unit. Conditions were near perfect as the fire crept along the ground igniting pockets of thick brush and dense thickets of trees. Firefighters patrolled and monitored the unit until significant rainfall occurred on Thanksgiving.

The Roost B Prescribed burn was done in coordination with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, United States Forest Service, local state and county fire departments, contract crews, and National Park Employees from Lassen Volcanic National Park, Redwoods National Park, Lava Beds National Monument and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

Contact: Carol Jandrall; Fire Education and Information Specialist
Phone: (530) 359-2304

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
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