SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. June 07, 2023 –Due to inclement weather and unfavorable fuel moisture conditions, fire management staff and park leadership have delayed further ignitions for the 2023 Ash Mountain Prescribed Burn until tomorrow, Thursday June 8, after an unsuccessful test burn.
A low-pressure system is currently over much of the southwestern part of the country, which brought rain to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks this morning. After a test burn, firefighters concluded that objectives for fuel consumption were not being met. Firefighters plan to conduct another test burn and hopefully continue with ignitions tomorrow.
While conducting today’s test burn, fire personnel took frequent weather readings and monitored fire behavior. During prescribed burns, crews are prepared to stop lighting and hold when conditions become unsuitable for burning. Fire managers are taking advantage of relatively cool weather this week to complete this important project.
The 2023 Ash Mountain Prescribed Burn consists of 11 segments between the Sequoia National Park entrance station and the Foothills Visitor Center. Segments are located adjacent to roads and infrastructure. Following a wet winter, this prescribed burn is reducing especially dense growth of grasses and fine vegetation that could pose a serious hazard in the event of an accidental fire start in these busy areas during the hot summer season. Due to fuel conditions, the Hospital Rock segment has been removed from the burn plan at this time.
There are no planned road closures associated with the Ash Mountain Prescribed Burn, but short delays may occur. Visitors may see smoke, active fire, and firefighters. Please drive slowly and follow all firefighter instructions. Smoke impacts are expected to be brief, as the fine vegetation in the burn areas will be consumed quickly. Visitors can learn more about air quality and smoke by visiting www.fire.airnow.gov or www.valleyair.org.
For updates on this prescribed burn, visit www.inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caknp-ash-mountain-prescribed-burn-2023
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