Lassen Volcanic National Park Hoping for a Burn Window to Complete the Loomis Prescribed Burn Project

Date: October 10, 2008
Contact: Darlene M. Koontz, [phone], ext. 5101

Lassen Volcanic National Park fire staff will take advantage of a projected burn window which could occur between Sunday, Oct. 12th and Tuesday, October 14th to complete the 100 acre Loomis Prescribed Fire Project. A burn window is a term used in fire management which means environmental conditions are within parameters to successfully conduct safe and effective burn operations. Environmental conditions consist of wind, moisture in combustible materials (fuel moisture), moisture in the air (relative humidity), temperature and are driven by precipitation, short and long term weather forecasts. Two inches of rain has recently fallen on the project area and fire staff is monitoring the unit as it dries out in order to ignite when burning will produce desirable effects. Wind direction is critical during project implementation in order to keep smoke away from populated areas. "A lot of planning combined with a bit of luck, when it comes to the weather, produces a favorable window necessary in order to accomplish our prescribed burn projects," stated Superintendent Darlene Koontz.

Lassen Volcanic National Park has successfully treated 24 acres in the Manzanita Lake area with prescribed fire last May and June. This spring burn window was very small due to the early onset of hot and dry conditions. These conditions limited the opportunity to implement spring prescribed fire projects for all land management agencies in Northern California.

Several unique historic, administrative and residential features exist within the project area. Necessary mitigation measures to protect these features will include the use of portable pumps and hose to deliver water, and positioning multiple engines for holding, contingency and structure protection.

Personnel from Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Lava Beds National Monument and the Hat Creek District of the Lassen National Forest are all available to assist the park with this project. "Cooperation and collaboration are necessary with other National Park Service areas and our USFS neighbors in order to accomplish our fire management goals," added Superintendent Koontz.

For more information, please contact the park at 530/595-4480 daily except holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m or log on to the park website at www.nps.gov/lavo and choose fire management.