Significant Burn Project Gets Underway At Calaveras Big Trees

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Arnold, CA — A multi-day prescribed fire successfully kicked off Tuesday in the South Grove of Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

The project, covering 1,300 acres, will continue over the next 7-10 days. During the prescribed burning, visitors should expect closures including the South Grove Trail, Beaver Creek area, Bradley Grove Trail, fire road around the South Grove, and the Walter W. Smith Memorial Parkway just south of the Stanislaus River. Smoke will be visible nearby.

Regardless of the burn, the Parkway road closes in full every year at the first snowfall, or on December 1st, whichever comes first.

California State Parks, CAL FIRE, and contractors have spent several years preparing the South Grove Preserve for treatment. Officials report that crews have removed large fuels and masticated material along the fire road surrounding the South Grove to create a control line around the 1,300-acre unit. Additionally, crews have prepared large giant sequoias by removing heavy fuels and organic matter from their base to reduce the likelihood of negative impacts from fire.