We’re doing a lot more prescribed fires now then we did 10 years ago, and that’s a good thing. The idea is that you burn up some understory to avoid the chances of a big, out-of-control fire in the coming years. Local Native American people did this for time immemorial, ages ago, and we’re all coming around to the idea that they knew what they were doing.

The damp season is here, which means it’s a decent time to do this work. We’ve received word of a couple of large-ish burns planned today and tomorrow, with the understanding that these things can change with weather conditions.

First up: Planned for today about one mile northeast of Blue Lake, a 50-acre Calfire controlled blaze that should be visible for quite a ways in all directions. 

Calfire says:

The project is designed to use prescribed fire to enhance browse for grazing, prairie maintenance, and to reduce fuel loading. The objective is to support grazing and reduce the invasion of brush and conifers on the site.

Tomorrow, the Humboldt Redwood Company plans to do something similar with 25 acres just outside Scotia. It says:

Humboldt Redwood Company will be conducting a broadcast burn within a logging unit on Saturday, 10/25/2024. The burn will be approximately 25 acres and located 4.5 miles Southeast of Scotia. Smoke will be visible from Highway 101 and the surrounding communities, fire will be visible from Pepperwood, Shively, Homes, and various locations along the Eel River. CAL FIE and local fire districts have been notified of this broadcast burn.

Don’t be too alarmed if you see smoke columns in those areas in the coming days. Also, Calfire would like to remind you that though their professional burners are conducting these projects now, amateur burning is still prohibited in their area of responsibility:

As a reminder, outdoor burning remains suspended in State Responsibility Area (SRA).  Debris (pile) burning has historically been one of the leading causes of vegetation fires in the Humboldt – Del Norte Unit.  These escaped debris fires result when those responsible fail to follow the terms of their permit.  Escaped debris burning in the Humboldt – Del Norte Unit is almost always found to be a result of:  no clearance, no adult remaining in attendance, burning when windy, or a combination of these factors.  Those factors are all violations of a CAL FIRE burn permit.  While many members of the public do burn responsibly and within the terms of their permits, the risks caused by those who burn negligently requires the extension of the duration of the burn suspension.  Prescribed fires though can be conducted safely.  These projects are conducted after inspection and consideration of factors such as:  weather, resource availability, and statewide fire activity.  Prescribed fires are conducted by experienced personnel with multiple resources available at scene to minimize associated risks.

That’s all the fire news for today. Good luck, good fire professionals!