Forest service set to begin controlled burning

KERNVILLE — Forest Service fire crews plan to begin ignition on two prescribed burning operations located in Kernville and Riverkern.

The Burma segment of the Kernville Defensible Space Project is part of a 33-acre project both west and south of Burma Road, Cindy Thill, a Forest Service spokeswoman, said in a prepared release.

“Firefighters have been working for approximately two years on cutting thick, potentially hazardous fuels — brush — and ‘limbing up’ trees using chain saws,” Thill said. “A mechanical chipper was used on some of the brush piles generated from this project to assist in minimizing smoke emissions. However, because of inaccessibility, not all piles could be chipped. These remaining piles are scheduled to be burned as early as next week.”

Fire crews will also be pile burning on the Riverkern project. Thill said these piles are the result of maintenance on the existing fuel break between national forest and private lands east of, or behind, the community.

Reducing fuel zones in Riverkern and Kernville will help reduce the intensity of wildfires and help firefighters should wildfires occur, Thill said.

Fire managers will work closely with two air pollution control districts to manage smoke production and reduce any local affects. Thill said smoke may be visible during the burning periods in both Kernville and Riverkern. No road closures or traffic delays are expected.

The prescribed burning will continue through April as conditions permit. For more information, call Jim Yearwood, fuels management officer, Kernville Ranger Station, 1-760-376-3781, Ext. 622.

-- Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000. Ext. 1043.