Pile Burning Near Heaps Peak Helitack Base

U. S. Forest Service firefighters are burning slash piles near the Heaps Peak Helitack Base, west of Running Springs.  (File Photo by Michael P, Neufeld)

By Michael P. Neufeld

Running Springs, CA – Smoke from pile burning may be visible in the Heaps Peak area on Tuesday, February 12,

U.S. Forest Service firefighters are burning slash and debris piles near the Heaps Peaks Helitack Base on Highway 18, west of Running Springs, according to a media advisory.

FUELS REDUCTION

The U.S. Forest Service reports the controlled burns are part of the on-going Running Springs community protection fuels reduction program.

The ignition of all prescribed burns is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, appropriate conditions, and in coordination with the National Weather Service and South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) before and during prescribed burns in order to manage smoke production and minimize impacts as much as possible.

Fire managers follow a burn plan that outlines the “prescription” or environmental conditions, such as temperature, wind, fuel moisture, ventilation, and relative humidity that need to be present before the project begins.

When the criteria are met, crews implement, monitor, and patrol each burn to ensure it meets the goals and objectives outlined by managers.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information, the public can call the Forest Service’s local offices to find out where burning is taking place:

• Big Bear Ranger Station & Discovery Center (909) 382-2790
• Lytle Creek Ranger Station (909) 382-2851
• Idyllwild Ranger Station (909) 382-2922
• Mill Creek Work Center (909) 382-2882
• Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument (760) 862-9984

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