The U.S. Forest Service started a pile burn Tuesday, Feb. 13, along the Pine Cove Fuel Break. On Monday, the Forest Service completed a burn near the Vista Grande Fire Station on Highway 243, about mid-way between Banning and Idyllwild.

At Vista Grande, the Forest Service burned three piles of slash. However, at Pine Cove, more piles were burned during the project.

The burns were planned for this winter and the weather this week is an opportunity to conduct them.

Piles, which are burned, are the result of forest thinning of shrubs and low-hanging tree branches.

Smoke may be seen in the air. Drivers in the area should slow down for personnel on the sides of local roads.

More information and background on this and other prescribed fires can be found online at www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd569405.pdf.

The public can also check in on planned prescribed burns by calling 909-382-2711 or following the forest on Twitter at @SanBernardinoNF.