News Releases: LPF prescribed burn - 800-acres

News Releases: 2007

News Release USDA Forest Service Los Padres National Forest

Contact: Joe Pasinato (805) 961-5745 Mike Kremke (831) 385-5434, ext 231

Forest Service to Conduct Prescribed Burn Near Piney Creek The Forest Service plans to conduct a series of prescribed burns starting this month in the Piney Creek area of Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County. The 800-acre project area is one half mile west of Carmel Valley Road between mile markers 35.5 and 38.5. This area is approximately 2.5 miles north of Arroyo Seco and 8 miles southwest of Carmel Valley. The purpose of the prescribed burn is to reduce flammable vegetation in the wildland-urban interface and improve the wildlife habitat and watershed condition. Additionally, it will reduce the threat of a wildfire coming out of the wilderness in that area. While the Piney Creek project will take an estimated 5-10 days to complete, the starting date and progress will depend on the weather. If the fuels and weather are within prescription, burning could begin as early as December 12th and continue into April 2008. Firefighters will burn approximately 200 acres from the ground and then use a helicopter-transported ignition device to treat the remaining 600 acres. The Piney Creek Road and campsites will remained closed during the prescribed burns. Smoke may be visible from several miles away and residual smoke could be present in the area for up to two weeks following the burns. For further information, contact the Monterey Ranger District office in King City, at (831) 385-5434.