Date: June 13, 2017
Contact: Mike Theune, 559-565-3703
Contact: Rebecca Paterson, 559-565-3129
SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. June 13, 2017 – As of this afternoon, ignitions are complete on the Ash Mountain Prescribed Burn in Sequoia National Park. 26 acres have been treated with prescribed fire, with approximately 14 acres of the project area treated by mechanical methods.
This prescribed burn, conducted during most years, creates defensible space around critical infrastructure by thinning out dense invasive grasses and consuming dead and down wood. This provides better protection in the event of an unwanted fire in this hot and dry part of the park. In addition, this year fire management staff collaborated with partners from the Native American community, incorporating traditional techniques to promote health and acorn production in oak tree populations.
“This project is a great opportunity for the parks’ fire and fuels management team to listen to and work alongside with interested partners from our tribal community, who have a deep connection to this ecosystem and, for these particular individuals, the use of fire in it,” says Parks’ Fire Management Officer David Allen. “It’s great to share knowledge and recognize that we all have the same goal – to see the land healthy and thriving.”
Visitors to the parks may see fire effects near the entrance station and along the Generals Highway and are asked to exercise caution near recently burned areas, as embers and hot spots can persist long after active fire has stopped. Light smoke may be visible in the area for several days as the remaining fuels continue to be consumed. Visitors can learn more about air quality and smoke by visiting either www.airnow.gov or www.valleyair.org. For more information on this prescribed burn, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5195/
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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.
