Prescribed burning begins on the Klamath National Forest - Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work

The Klamath National Forest is planning to conduct prescribed fire operations this fall and winter, pending all required approvals and as weather conditions allow. These prescribed burns are used to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure, and natural resources from wildfires. The Klamath has many projects ready to go for burning to capitalize on ideal burn conditions, which are different for each project. Not all projects listed will be completed this fall and winter.

Prescribed burns planned for the Klamath National Forest include:

Salmon-Scott River Ranger District

-Scott Bar Mountain Underburn, 350 acres, 12 miles west of Fort Jones.

-Singleton Underburn, 450 acres, 7 miles northwest of Fort Jones.

- East Fork Scott Underburn, 363 acres in the areas of Hayden Ridge and Masterson Loop.

- Pile burning projects are scattered across the district, with concentrations in several areas, including the Lovers Canyon area (312 acres, 12 miles west of Fort Jones), Jess project area (477 acres, 2 miles south of Sawyers Bar), Bear Country project area (570 acres, 7 miles southeast of Forks of Salmon), East Fork Scott (550 acres, 10 miles northeast of Callahan), and Petersburg Fuels Reduction (253 acres, 3 miles southeast of Cecilville).

Goosenest Ranger District

- Cedar Mountain Underburn, 10 miles southeast of Macdoel, up to 600 acres.

- First Creek Underburn, north of Highway 97 near Grass Lake, 225 acres.

- Phacelia Cookei Habitat Enhancement Project, 1.5 acres of targeted burning near Military Pass Road.

- Several thousand acres of pile burning is possible throughout the district, primarily east of CA Highway 97; 6,250 acres of piles from juniper reduction work, roughly between Jerome Butte, Cedar Mountain, and Mount Hebron; 2,100 acres of roadside piles north and northeast of Stephens Pass and east of Tennant; and 430 acres in the area of Sharp and Wild Horse mountains near Six-Shooter Pass.

Happy Camp-Oak Knoll Ranger District

- Pile burning will occur throughout the district, with concentrations on the Oak Knoll side in the Horse Creek area (200 acres) and Craggy Mountain area (600 acres north of Yreka). Up to 1500 acres of pile burning could occur on the Happy Camp side of the district, primarily on Grider Ridge, in the Low Gap area near Seiad, and in the 2020 Slater Fire footprint.

Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns. In areas of smoke on roadways, motorists should reduce speed, turn on headlights, and watch for firefighters working along the road.

Smoke may temporarily affect air quality in prescribed burn areas. For more detailed information about air quality, go to https://fire.airnow.gov/online or download the app.

Prescribed burn managers will closely evaluate weather conditions in the days and hours before a burn begins. If conditions are unfavorable, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.

Stay informed about prescribed burns on the Klamath National Forest through the Klamath National Forest Facebook page.