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Contact: Mike Theune, 559-565-3703 Contact: Rebecca Paterson, 559-565-3129 SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. October 4, 2016 – The parks are scheduling their first prescribed burn of fall 2016, north of Dorst Campground, near the northern border of Sequoia National Park. This represents a change of plans for the parks, due to cooling trends and increased relative humidity bringing the area into appropriate parameters for prescribed burning, as shown by recent fuel moisture samples taken at the site. The 187-acre burn unit has no recorded fire history, and thus is not aligned with the natural fire cycle. The purpose of the prescribed burn is to reduce fuel loads, promote forest and watershed health, drought resilience, and natural resistance to the spread of dangerous wildfires. The parks anticipate approximately three days of ignitions.
The burn unit is located adjacent to Dorst Campground, which is currently closed for the remainder of the year, and south and west of the Generals Highway. Smoke is likely to be present on the Generals Highway, and may cause delays or short-term closures if visibility becomes impaired. Visitors should expect to see firefighters, smoke, and fire activity in this area and are asked to drive carefully. Hiking trails in the area will be closed for the duration of the burn. Depending on dispersion, the town of Three Rivers may experience smoke impacts at night during ignitions.
The parks will issue an additional news release when ignitions dates are confirmed. This prescribed burn does not prevent the parks from doing any of the other previously announced prescribed burns.
For information on this prescribed burn and other fires within the parks’ boundaries, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/unit/797/.
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About Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks’ Fire Management Program
For over forty years, our mission has been to use the full range of options and strategies available to manage fire in the parks. This includes protecting park resources, employees, and the public from unwanted fire; building and maintaining fire resilient ecosystems; reducing the threat to local communities from wildfires emanating from the parks or adjacent lands; and recruiting, training, and retaining a professional fire management workforce.
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Last updated: October 4, 2016