As autumn brings cooler weather and shorter days, fire specialists on Lassen National Forest are gearing up for a series of prescribed burns to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risks. The burns will take place across all three districts of the forest—Almanor, Eagle Lake, and Hat Creek—through fall and winter as conditions allow.
Projects include underburns and pile burns that span thousands of acres. In the Eagle Lake Ranger District, for example, the Bailey Underburn covers 1,760 acres, while other projects range from 478 to 1,670 acres. Prescribed burns are carefully managed by fire and fuels specialists to meet specific conditions, including temperature, wind, and humidity.
The goal of these burns is to reduce hazardous fuels, protect infrastructure, and improve forest health. Residents should expect daytime smoke and traffic impacts near burn areas and are urged to drive cautiously. For smoke updates, visit www.airnow.gov.
