2017 Fall Prescribed Burning at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Date: October 3, 2017
Contact: Fire Management Office, [phone]

Fall Prescribed Burning at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is planning to begin seasonal prescribed fire burning within the next several weeks. Although areas of local fire danger continue to persist along the Sacramento Valley and adjacent foothills, recent September showers and cooler temperatures have significantly reduced fire potential within the higher elevations in the park. The projects being proposed for prescribed fire this fall include the “Coggins Project”, which is a 212 acre unit located in the upper Crystal Creek drainage along County Line Road near Coggins Park, and the “Brandy Creek Project”, which is approximately 50 acres and located in upper Brandy Creek drainage near Sheep Camp.

The primary goal of these projects is to enhance forest health by restoring the natural role of fire in maintaining the health and vigor of park landscapes for the continued use and enjoyment of visitors. An additional goal of these projects is to help reduce hazardous fuels within the park to promote greater vegetation resilience and provide for a safer and more effective fire management response to unplanned wildfire events.

Fire crews plan to ignite individual burn units within each project area on multiple days throughout the coming months as conditions become favorable. Temperature, humidity and winds will be monitored to ensure safe and effective burn conditions and favorable air quality. To help ensure visitor and firefighter safety, temporary closures and traffic control along project area roads and trails may be implemented during burn operations. Smoke from these projects will be visible from the Redding and Anderson areas. .

The seasonal transition to fall brings shorter days, cooler temperatures, higher humidity and the potential for rain. These conditions are ideal for meeting desired prescribed fire project objectives by ensuring adequate fire intensities and consumption, while limiting control issues and adverse effects. As weather and conditions become cooler and wetter through the fall into the winter months, implementation of additional lower elevation projects and park-wide pile burning will be planned.

For additional information, please call: the Fire Management Office at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area at 530-242-3443. Fire updates can also be found on the park’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeytownNationalRecreationArea.

For general information on Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, please call or stop by the park’s visitor center daily between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. You can also visit the park website at www.nps.gov/whis.