Smoke Over Summit Ranger District Next Week

Forest Service map

Sonora, CA — The Stanislaus National Forest plans to ignite the Dry Meadow Underburn on the Summit Ranger District on Monday (Oct. 15), conditions permitting.

The Dry Meadow Underburn prescribed fire’s goal is to reduce the build-up of dead and downed fuels that intensify dangerous wildfires. Crews will use low-intensity fire to burn a total of 945 acres northwest of Beardsley Lake and adjacent to Forest Service Roads 5N02 (Beardsley Road), 5N22, and 4N66. The plan calls for the underburn to be divided into 7 units, ranging in size from 94 to 171 acres. Then each day about 100 acres will be set ablaze.

Smoke may be visible from highways 4 or 108 and surrounding communities. Once again forest officials ask the public not to report the smoke as a wildland fire. Motorists in the area of the burn are cautioned to slow down in areas where fire crews and equipment is present.