Forest Fire Crews Make Significant Pile Burning Strides
Sonora, CA — Over the last week, while focusing efforts on higher elevation locations, Stanislaus National Forest fire crews burned more than 240 acres of piles in the Calaveras Ranger District.
“Right now is the prime pile burning window, explained Stanislaus National Forest Deputy Fire Management Officer, Clint Gould. “Across the region, many different organizations, the Stanislaus included, are taking advantage of these conditions to reduce the number of piles out there. Folks will most likely see ember glows during the nighttime hours and smoke during the day.”
Most of the work was done around the Round Valley Sno-Park, Silvertip Campground, Lodgepole Campground, and Lake Alpine Campground.
“We burn piles to increase community resilience by reducing fuel loading on the forest floor,” explained Calaveras District Fire Management Officer—Fuel, Kellin Brown.
Burn locations go into a patrol status once the piles have burned down. The piles are checked regularly by patrols to ensure proper burning of fuels and that there is no flame spread beyond the pile area. Then these areas will be continuously patrolled until the pile fires are determined to be completely out.
“I am very pleased with the work we have already accomplished this year. We are working within multiple constraints and burning in an area that has been difficult for us to gain accomplishments over the last few winters. With much of the high elevation piles behind us so early in the pile burning season, I look forward to focusing much of our effort around the communities of Arnold and Avery into winter months of 2025.”
