MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST – As part of a continuing program to help protect communities and natural resources from wildfires by reducing hazardous fuels, improve wildlife habitat and improve forest health, the Mendocino National Forest is beginning its fall prescribed burning.

The transition from the wildfire season to the fall burning program occurs rapidly in Northern California as cooler weather and higher moisture move into the area.

This type of weather will make "burn windows," according to Terry Nickerson, fuels specialist for the Upper Lake and Covelo Ranger Districts. Burn windows have to meet site specific conditions and criteria and these conditions are monitored closely before, during and after a prescribed burn.

Burning could begin immediately and last through the winter and into next spring, as long as weather conditions are favorable. Over the next few months, the public may see smoke in various parts of the national forest.

Prescribed burning is planned for the following general areas:

• Upper Lake and Covelo Districts: along Elk Mountain Road, Howard Mill, Deer Valley, Boardman Ridge, High Valley, Horse Mountain, Tar Flat, Newhouse Ridge, Pine Mountain, Lake Pillsbury, in the vicinity of the 2005 Hunter Fire (Buckhorn and Skidmore Ridge), selected campgrounds, guard stations and miscellaneous pile burning will also be included in the prescribed burning operations.

• Grindstone District: Little Stony, underburn; Alder Springs, underburn; type conversion maintenance; Oak Ridge, pile burning.

For additional information, please contact Terry Nickerson, Upper Lake/Covelo fuels specialist, (707) 275-1440 or Matt Ellis, Grindstone fuels specialist, (530) 934-1135.

More information on prescribed burning is available online at www.fs.fed.us/r5/mendocino. Additionally, prescribed fire announcements will be placed at local Ranger Stations prior to implementation.

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