MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Mendocino National Forest fire managers are preparing to implement prescribed fires across the forest through the fall and winter as conditions allow.

Fire managers use prescribed fire to remove hazardous fuels, increase firefighter safety, enhance wildlife habitat and protect communities and watersheds.

Prescribed fires are conducted within a “prescription” that is determined by appropriate fuel moisture, temperature, humidity, wind, and ventilation.

Fire crews implement, monitor, and patrol each project to ensure it meets the goals and objectives outlined in the burn plans.

Forest fuels specialist work with the California Air Resources Board for burn day approval. The local air quality district manages the number of acres available to burn during allotted burn days based on the amount of projects proposed.

These are the prescribed fire projects on the Grindstone Ranger District that may occur this fall and winter:

Ivory Mill Prescribed Fire – approximately 30 miles west of Willows
Ridgetop: Broadcast, 110 acres
Tool Cache: Broadcast, 216 acres

Alder Springs Prescribed Fire – approximately 30 miles northwest of Willows
Unit 7: Broadcast, 46 acres
Unit 28: Broadcast, 24 acres

Grindstone Pile Burns – various locations for a total of 770 acres

Here are the projects for the Upper Lake and Covelo Districts:

Baseball Prescribed Fire – approximately 17 miles east of Covelo
Various units: Broadcast – 200 acres

Westshore Prescribed Fire – approximately 17 miles north of Upper Lake, just west of Lake Pillsbury
Various units: Broadcast – 40 acres

Upper Lake and Covelo Pile Burns – various locations for a total of 30 acres

For firefighter and public safety, Mendocino National Forest officials remind the public to not enter or park near the project areas and to watch for firefighters and equipment in the various locations.