Controlled Burn Planned Around Lake Perris

LAKE PERRIS, CA — Riverside County fire crews will be conducting a controlled burn in the Lake Perris State Recreation Area Tuesday to clear 220 acres of excess vegetation, and residents and motorists were advised not to be alarmed by the smoke.

According to Cal Fire, crews are slated to carry out the prescribed burn between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. in space well away from Lake Perris camping sites.

The operation will only go forward as long as weather conditions permit.

"This project is aimed at restoring native grass and forb habitats, as well as reducing the hazard posed by flammable vegetation," according to a Cal Fire statement. "In addition to the ecological and hazard reduction benefits, this prescribed burn will provide firefighters with valuable wildland fire training."

Inmate hand crews will join full-time fire personnel in carrying out the burn, which officials acknowledged will result in smoke columns that are visible from freeways and surrounding communities.

Cal Fire asked the public to bear this in mind before calling to report a fire in the area.

Anyone with questions or concerns was asked to contact the county fire public information bureau at 951-940-6985.

— By City News Service