FRAZIER PARK, CA (Monday, Feb. 29, 2016 at 2:40 p.m.)—Mt. Pinos Ranger District will begin conducting prescribed burns on top of Frazier Mountain on Tuesday, March 1. “We’re going to do understory burning on Frazier Mountain of about 100 acres starting Tuesday this week,” said Los Padres National Forest Wildland Firefighting Division Chief John Abell. “People may see smoke up there near the lookout through Friday.”

The Los Padres National Forest press release regarding the burn projects is copied below as it was distributed in December:

Burn Projects Planned for Mt. Pinos Ranger District

GOLETA, CA, December 22, 2015…. Los Padres National Forest officials today announced plans to launch a series of prescribed burn projects over the next several months to eliminate forest understory, piled brush and mechanically treated vegetation on the Mt. Pinos Ranger District.

The vegetation was masticated or cut and piled for Healthy Forest and Wildfire Community Defense projects in and around the Mountain Communities of Frazier Park, Lake of The Woods and Pine Mountain Club. Understory burning on the Frazier Mountain Project will reduce ground and ladder fuels, reducing wildfire intensities, and protect Long Needle Pine stands present. The prescribed treatments will involve crews burning the treated vegetation, in order to reduce hazardous fuel build up, and to improve the health of the forest. The projects will commence when weather conditions and air quality are suitable for safely burning these fuels.

Burning may begin as early as January 4, 2016. If you have questions about the projects, please contact Mt. Pinos Fire Management Officer John Abell at (661) 245-3731.

This is part of the February 26, 2016 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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