LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit and California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans, are coordinating a prescribed burn that will take place along Highway 29 between Lakeport and Upper Lake between June 24 and 26.

This prescribed burn will treat approximately 10 acres of cured annual grasses within Caltrans right-of-way in a 2.8-mile stretch between mile markers 45.1 and 47.9. This project will contribute to fuel reduction along the highway, providing safety for motorists and emergency responders while reducing the likelihood of wildfire ignitions from vehicles.

Highway 29 will be under controlled traffic during burning operations. Burning may begin as early as 10 a.m. and this project is anticipated to be completed with a single-day operation.

Cal Fire will be providing five engines and one hand crew to conduct this prescribed burn.

This is yet another significant collaborative project between Cal Fire and Caltrans District 1 in Lake County. Similar fuel reduction projects have taken place along Soda Bay Road (Highway 281) by Clearlake Riviera, Highway 29 outside of Lower Lake and Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks.

Prescribed burns are carefully planned and must meet strict criteria for ecological benefit, weather parameters, smoke management and fire safety guidelines. The planned operation is subject to lastminute changes due to those conditions.

When all conditions are met, trained wildland firefighters conduct the burn while monitoring the set criteria, fire behavior and designated fire control lines.

If the conditions are not conducive for burning, the burn will be rescheduled. This prescribed burn will comply with the requirements of the Lake County Air Pollution Control District.