Press release from Torchbearr:

This is Torchbearr, with his trusty torch.

Prescribed fire practitioners plan to burn 6-22 acres, starting as soon as tomorrow September 9, if weather conditions permit. The prescribed burn has been planned carefully for more than five years by the Pacific Forest Trust in partnership with non-profit Torchbearr with support from the California Wildlife Conservation Board and the State Coastal Conservancy.

This project’s goals include increased resilience of permanently conserved, working redwood forest ecosystems in the Fieldbrook Valley, the restoration of large, fire-adapted trees, enhanced wildlife habitat, and improved community protection from extreme wildfire impacts.

“Low intensity fire is a natural part of the redwood forest, bringing many benefits from helping control disease to replenishing many soil nutrients. But, it has been suppressed in privately owned redwood forests for many decades. This has created a major fuels build up which poses dangers for both the forest and surrounding communities. Our goal is to restore a safer fire regime and a healthier forest, “ said PFT President Laurie Wayburn.

Torchbearr’s burn boss Scot Steinbring, who holds both state and federal qualifications to lead and implement prescribed burns, is on the ground assessing weather and fuel conditions. If weather, fuel receptivity to fire, required firefighting resources, and legally required smoke and burn permits align, Fieldbrook residents could see smoke rising from the forested area southeast of Fieldbrook Road and Cider Mills Road this week, or later this fall.

“Burning in the redwoods is tricky because you need it to be dry enough to carry fire. You also want a low intensity broadcast burn that consumes ground fuels on the forest floor but does not smoke out the town or damage trees we’re seeking to restore. If we get a good burn window, we know it will be brief so we’re prepared to mobilize as soon as that window comes,” said Torchbearr Burn Boss Scot Steinbring.