MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – After a dry winter and sparse spring showers, conditions on the Mendocino National Forest are indicating an earlier-than-usual start to fire season.

“Typically the earliest the Mendocino has wildland fire activity is mid-June, with a more active fire season from mid-summer to early fall,” said Forest Fire Management Officer Curtis Coots. “This year things are so dry, that we are already seeing an increased risk for wildfires – even earlier than we did last year.”       

The forest is not currently in fire restrictions, but fuel conditions are being monitored closely.

As late spring and summer recreation season starts, forest visitors are asked to take extra precautions when using fire on the forest.

“Remember, one less spark – one less wildfire. Whether it’s a gas stove, campfire or ensuring that you aren’t creating a spark, paying attention can help dramatically reduce the risk of human-caused fires on the Forest,” Coots said. “By doing this we can help preserve not only public and firefighter safety, but also the areas of the forest we all enjoy.”

Over the past week, forest officials said there have already been a handful of smoke checks on the forest, some the result of recent lightning in the area.

There was also a six-acre fire over the weekend near Twin Springs on the Grindstone Ranger District on the east side of the forest, with smoke visible from Interstate 5, forest officials said.

The Twin fire was contained and controlled quickly. Forest officials said the cause is currently under investigation.

For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .

For more information on One Less Spark, visit http://www.preventwildfireca.org/ .

As fire season continues, updates will also be available on Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov or on Twitter @Mendocino NF.