News Release

Ignitions Complete for Cedar Central Prescribed Burn

Low-intensity fire ensures the ecosystem in Cedar Grove is healthier, sustainable, and more resilient to catastrophic wildfires for both the current and future generations.

National Park Service

News Release Date: June 12, 2019

Contact: Fire Information Office, [phone]

KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Calif. June 12, 2017 – Fire staff completed ignitions on the last segment of the Cedar Central Prescribed Burn unit yesterday evening, for a total of 218 acres treated since Monday. With ignitions complete, firefighters will continue to patrol the area as vegetation inside the unit burns down.

“After so much late rain this spring, it’s great that we were able to get this project done before the hottest part of summer gets here,” says Andrew Cremers, fuels technician and burn boss trainee. “Maintaining the fire regime in Cedar Grove is good for forest and watershed health, and it also protects these high-use visitor areas as we get into peak wildfire season.”

The Cedar Central Prescribed Burn is located east of Moraine Campground, north of Highway 180, and south and west of the Kings River. Visitors driving or hiking near the area may see smoke and/or areas of active flame, and are asked to exercise caution, stay on trails, and observe signage and directions from park staff.

Smoke impacts are expected to be limited to Cedar Grove, and will lessen as fuels within the prescribed burn area are consumed and ultimately self-extinguish.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks work with the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District to coordinate and regulate smoke contributions to the airshed. For more information about air quality in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks visit go.nps.gov/sekiair. For regional information about air quality visit www.valleyair.org.

For updates on fires in the parks, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6353/

-NPS-

About Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks’ Fire Management Program
For over fifty 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.