Prescribed Fires Scheduled To Burn In RivCo As Cool, Wet Weather Prevails

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Due to the recent and ongoing storm activity, U.S. Forest Service firefighters will initiate a series of controlled burns in the San Bernardino National Forest around Pine Cove to clear excess vegetation, advising residents and travelers Tuesday not to be alarmed by the smoke and flames.

The area is near Idyllwild.

"We estimate this work to continue through the New Year as weather conditions allow," according to a USFS statement. "We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation and protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires."

The first operation is tentatively scheduled ahead of Thanksgiving, with ongoing burns, weather-permitting, into January, rangers said.

In addition to prescribed burns of undisclosed acreage, there will be slash pile burning throughout the 677,000-acre federal preserve, about one-third of which stretches into Riverside County.

"Areas may close to the public for several days for public safety," the Forest Service stated. "Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns."

Residents and visitors were advised not to be frightened by the activity. The goal is to clear dead and excess vegetation that could provide fuel for wildfires.

"There are multiple methods to reduce combustible materials in forests, such as mechanical thinning, prescribed fire and pile burning," the Forest Service stated. "Ecosystems that rely on periodic fires can become unhealthy. This (prescribed burning) process not only removes woody materials from the forest floor but also targets non-native plants, such as cheat grass, which can proliferate rapidly without natural controls and significantly increase fire intensity."

If conditions change, including any hint of Santa Ana winds and an ensuing dry spell, burns will be suspended immediately, rangers said.

Additional information is available at fs.usda.gov/sbnf/.