Cedar Central Prescribed Burn

Image options: [ Full Size ]

KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Calif. June 12, 2017 – Fire staff completed ignitions on the last segment of the Cedar Central Prescribed Burn unit yesterday evening, for a total of 218 acres treated since Monday. With ignitions complete, firefighters will continue to patrol the area as vegetation inside the unit burns down.

“After so much late rain this spring, it’s great that we were able to get this project done before the hottest part of summer gets here,” says Andrew Cremers, fuels technician and burn boss trainee. “Maintaining the fire regime in Cedar Grove is good for forest and watershed health, and it also protects these high-use visitor areas as we get into peak wildfire season.”

The Cedar Central Prescribed Burn is located east of Moraine Campground, north of Highway 180, and south and west of the Kings River. Visitors driving or hiking near the area may see smoke and/or areas of active flame, and are asked to exercise caution, stay on trails, and observe signage and directions from park staff.

Smoke impacts are expected to be limited to Cedar Grove, and will lessen as fuels within the prescribed burn area are consumed and ultimately self-extinguish.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks work with the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District to coordinate and regulate smoke contributions to the airshed. For more information about air quality in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks visit go.nps.gov/sekiair. For regional information about air quality visit www.valleyair.org.