U.S. Forest Service to Begin Prescribed Burns

The prescribed burning season will run through May 2016

The U.S. Forest Service of Cleveland National Forest announced Tuesday it will begin conducting prescribed burns in certain regions near San Diego County in an effort to curb wildfire hazards.

Forest Service officials said the Descanso District in Alpine planned to kick off prescribed burning on Mount Laguna at 9 a.m., saying the activity may result in some drifting smoke visible from the Pine Valley and Julian areas. Fire officials said the burn would span about two to three acres along Sunrise Highway.

However, due to high winds, officials postponed the burning until Wednesday, weather permitting.

In the end, the prescribed burn season – which runs through May 2016 – is expected to cover between 500 and 700 acres. Mount Laguna and Lake Morena will be included in the burn areas, as well as possibly Pine Valley and Horsethief Trail, depending on weather and fuel moisture conditions.

The Forest Service says the purpose of prescribed burning is to β€œeliminate fire hazards such as masticated chaparral, timber litter, and dried vegetation, which can ignite rapidly during the summer months or in times of high heat.”

The activity is also designed to help slow the spread of wildfires.
 

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