Forest Service Managing Lightning Fires
Two lightning-caused fires continue to burn in the Emigrant Wilderness, Bell Mountain area of the Stanislaus National Forest.
They have blackened a total of 306 acres so far, but are being carefully watched and managed by U.S. Forest Service firefighters. The fire started the morning of July 20.
Forest Service officials say the fires are currently being managed under “Wildland fire use for resource benefits” direction, with appropriate levels of fire management response action being taken to direct and/or limit the fire´s direction and intensity, in order to benefit forest resource values. The naturally ignited fires are being managed “so as to resume fire´s natural role in the ecosystem in a safe, carefully planned, and cost-efficient manner.”
More than 50 firefighters are on the fire lines as well as a helicopter, bulldozer and other fire equipment.
There´s no estimate of containment at this time.
